The Story of Two Wolves

Galatians 5:16-26

A grandfather is talking with his grandson and he says there are two wolves inside of us which are always at war with each other. One of them is a good wolf which represents things like kindness, bravery, and love. The other is a bad wolf, which represents things like greed, hatred and fear.

The grandson stops and thinks about it for a second then he looks up at his grandfather and says, “Grandfather, which one wins?” The grandfather quietly replies, "The one you feed”.

  

The source of this story has been attributed to the Cherokee Indians, as well as Billy Graham and George Bernard Shaw. Though no one knows for sure where it originated, an argument could be made that Paul inspired it.      

17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. NLT

 You don’t have to be an addict to have firsthand experience of this inner battle. Think about it the next time another driver cuts you off in traffic; or the contractor you hired doesn’t show up to do the work you paid for; or your insurance company seems more interested in saving money than paying for a claim. The list is endless.

 Speaking of lists, Paul made two of them in this passage. One is what our flesh desires, and the other what God’s Spirit desires. How do we go about winning the battle? What can we do to feed the good wolf?

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. NLT

 This is not a onetime big decision, but a lifetime of small decisions that move us forward into the light of following the Spirit and not backwards into the darkness of our flesh.

 Which wolf will you feed? What fruit will you grow? Will you live by the Spirit?