In Galatians 5, the apostle Paul declares that we were all called to be free, free from the power of sin. He adds, “So I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other” (Gal. 5:16-17a)

Prayerfully as we walk in the Spirit, we acquire new tastes, desires and inclinations that fit us for fellowship with our Spiritual Father. The key is to be continually filled with the Word of God. As we repeatedly hear His voice, we begin to respond faster and with better attitudes.

This principle is outlined in Jack London’s book White Fang. London tells the story of an animal that was half-wolf and half-dog, named White Fang. “One day White Fang strayed into a henrun and killed several hens. The owner was naturally very angry.”

“White Fang’s trainer said to the owner, ‘I will guarantee that he will remain a whole afternoon in the henrun and not kill a single chicken.’ The test began. Whenever the old lust to kill asserted itself, his master’s voice recalled White Fang over and over again, until at last the force of the impulse had spent itself as he listened to that quietly restraining voice.”

White Fang finally fell asleep in the midst of the hens. “The temptation had no more power to allure. White Fang’s victory over his wolf-nature sprang from the restraining power of his loved master’s voice.”

“So, it is with us. Sensitive obedience to the restraining empowering voice of the Spirit brings victory.” (Enjoying Intimacy with God p. 83)

Every Christian that is honest will admit that there is a struggle to do what is right and often we end up doing what we would like to avoid. Paul affirmed that truth in Romans 7:16, “for what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

There is, however, a secret to dealing with that conflict between the flesh (carnal, selfish choices) and the Spirit (choices that bring God glory). And that secret lays in listening to the words of our Heavenly Father.

Just like White Fang, when we are tempted to feed our sinful selves, a spiritual timeout will certainly help. Stopping to focus on the Word of God (meditating, reading, discussing, listening to) can reorient our thinking. Instead of capitulating to sin, we can lean into His grace and follow His voice.

So, this week, let’s all turn up our “spiritual hearing aids” and turn our full attention to His guidance. The Lord will be pleased. We will be content. And none of the hens will die!