Did you hear the story of the man who owned two dogs
that always seemed to be fighting?
Invariably, the older one, Jack, would put down Mack, the younger one. It all started one day a year or so ago when
the owner brought home Mack, a new puppy.
Now, he also really loved Jack, had always spent lots of time with him
over the years and enjoyed his faithful companionship.
Jack seemed to tolerate the new addition at first, taking in stride the sharing of attention that was once all his and even played some with Mack. Although Jack was still getting a lot of attention, as Mack was growing up, he began to resent the new focus the man had for this interloper and began to vie more aggressively for his share of attention. Not only that, but Jack always seemed to overwhelm Mack in chasing the ball and in other games they played with the owner.
At times, Jack would command all the attention while Mack grew listless and only occasionally tried to participate in play. Worse, Mack’s appetite was failing to the point that his growth became stunted. The man grew quite concerned about Mack’s condition and decided to take him to the vet. After a thorough examination and asking the owner some questions, he diagnosed the cause of Mack’s lethargy and stunted growth. Mack was a totally different breed of dog than Jack and needed a special diet. In fact, the man was still feeding him puppy chow and puppy portions.
Well, you can imagine the transformation that happened when Mack started receiving his proper food. Within just a few weeks, Mack’s energy and enthusiasm bounced back. He quickly grew stronger and soon became dominant to the extent that he excelled over Jack in almost every game with the owner. Jack, meanwhile, began to grow sullen and lost interest in being a companion to the man – not that he was totally out of the picture – but now he was so tired of being overwhelmed that he just lay around and waited for his opportunity to catch Mack off guard. He was also sure that the man was now feeding him smaller servings. The man was very thankful that Mack had recovered so dramatically and realized that he had now become a much better companion than Jack had ever been.
This is not a true story although it could be, but instead it’s intended to be a parable about the two natures that struggle against each other in the life of a believer in Christ. The man is a new believer and Jack represents the man’s old nature or old self that the Apostle Paul often referred to as “the flesh.” Mack is the man’s new nature or spirit which was made alive in him by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when he received Jesus as Lord and Savior. Jesus also called this the new birth or being “born from above” (John 3:3-8).
At first, there is a lot of enthusiasm with the new life, but after a time the novelty of the experience begins to wear off and the old nature (self) starts to compete again for attention. Before he knows it, the new believer is being drawn back into some of his old habits and attitudes and realizes that his new nature is too weak to overcome these temptations. He finally becomes concerned enough to seek wise counsel. He learns that his new nature requires special nourishment and begins to feed it regularly on God’s Word, to pray and to spend time with other believers. Meanwhile, he also realizes that he has continued nourishing his old nature and begins working to cut out activities and habits that are feeding its lusts. As a result, the new believer begins to experience victory in his life as the new nature grows stronger and the old nature becomes weaker.
Are you living victoriously in Christ? Or do you find yourself still missing the mark often? If so, which dog are you feeding? It’s a choice you make every day.
Jack seemed to tolerate the new addition at first, taking in stride the sharing of attention that was once all his and even played some with Mack. Although Jack was still getting a lot of attention, as Mack was growing up, he began to resent the new focus the man had for this interloper and began to vie more aggressively for his share of attention. Not only that, but Jack always seemed to overwhelm Mack in chasing the ball and in other games they played with the owner.
At times, Jack would command all the attention while Mack grew listless and only occasionally tried to participate in play. Worse, Mack’s appetite was failing to the point that his growth became stunted. The man grew quite concerned about Mack’s condition and decided to take him to the vet. After a thorough examination and asking the owner some questions, he diagnosed the cause of Mack’s lethargy and stunted growth. Mack was a totally different breed of dog than Jack and needed a special diet. In fact, the man was still feeding him puppy chow and puppy portions.
Well, you can imagine the transformation that happened when Mack started receiving his proper food. Within just a few weeks, Mack’s energy and enthusiasm bounced back. He quickly grew stronger and soon became dominant to the extent that he excelled over Jack in almost every game with the owner. Jack, meanwhile, began to grow sullen and lost interest in being a companion to the man – not that he was totally out of the picture – but now he was so tired of being overwhelmed that he just lay around and waited for his opportunity to catch Mack off guard. He was also sure that the man was now feeding him smaller servings. The man was very thankful that Mack had recovered so dramatically and realized that he had now become a much better companion than Jack had ever been.
This is not a true story although it could be, but instead it’s intended to be a parable about the two natures that struggle against each other in the life of a believer in Christ. The man is a new believer and Jack represents the man’s old nature or old self that the Apostle Paul often referred to as “the flesh.” Mack is the man’s new nature or spirit which was made alive in him by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when he received Jesus as Lord and Savior. Jesus also called this the new birth or being “born from above” (John 3:3-8).
At first, there is a lot of enthusiasm with the new life, but after a time the novelty of the experience begins to wear off and the old nature (self) starts to compete again for attention. Before he knows it, the new believer is being drawn back into some of his old habits and attitudes and realizes that his new nature is too weak to overcome these temptations. He finally becomes concerned enough to seek wise counsel. He learns that his new nature requires special nourishment and begins to feed it regularly on God’s Word, to pray and to spend time with other believers. Meanwhile, he also realizes that he has continued nourishing his old nature and begins working to cut out activities and habits that are feeding its lusts. As a result, the new believer begins to experience victory in his life as the new nature grows stronger and the old nature becomes weaker.
Are you living victoriously in Christ? Or do you find yourself still missing the mark often? If so, which dog are you feeding? It’s a choice you make every day.
…in
reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is
being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit and that you be renewed
in the spirit of your mind and put on the new self, which in the likeness of
God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. –
Ephesians 4:22-24
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