Faith or Fear - A Tale of Two Wolves

by Pastor Gary Ritchie of One Way Ministries

Scripture reads: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16

In preparing for a sermon a few years ago, I came across this story. It is attributed to a Cherokee proverb although the origins are unknown. It offers such a beautiful spiritual principle. An old man is teaching his grandson about life.

“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, Which wolf will win?” The old man simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Although I am now fully retired from working in public education, my thoughts this time of year cannot help but to reflect upon students returning to school. Families spend lots of money for back to school supplies, new clothes and shoes. Some students are excited to get back to school, while others dread the thought of the early morning wake-up call.

Parents, as you begin to prepare your children for the opening day, you may begin requiring them to go to bed a little earlier or set an alarm to get them out of bed before noon. You may remind them of the importance of lifting up the struggling student or the one who may not fit in. You may also remind them to always represent Christ as we are his hands, feet, and voice in this world.

Children and teens are susceptible, just as adults, to do our best to just fit in. Are we wearing the right brand of shoes or have the fashionable haircut? Are we carrying a hip bookbag and all of the sides of a student walking in style? Maybe we have made the decision to follow this scripture:

Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

What will our walk look like this school year? Will we walk in the Spirit or walk in the Flesh? Which wolf will we feed? I am convinced if every student walking the halls of our schools were convinced of this truth, revival would be seen across the country. And for that matter, if we all adopted this mindset, we would see the same across America.

The Tale of Two Wolves is a great hands-on object lesson that will resonate with any age. May it remind us all that we always have a choice, to walk in the Spirit or walk in the flesh.

***Feel free to share this encouragement with other students and parents! For more information on One Way Ministries in Damascus, Virginia, visit our website www.onewaydamascus.org