We are made up of three parts. We have a body, a mind and a spirit. When you look at me you really do not see me, you see my body. But who I am is my mind and my spirit. What you see is my exterior side and my behavior. Seeing my character and my behavior only gives you a glimpse of who I am.

I have two natures: an earthly nature and a spiritual nature. These two natures are in conflict with each other because the earthly nature is self-serving and the spiritual nature is God-serving. But you do not see what nature in me is at work. The condition of my heart determines the kinds of decisions I make. Whether I make a business decision, an individual decision or a family decision each is affected by my true nature or heart.

1 Colossians 3:5 – tells us that we are to “Put to death, whatever belongs to your earthly nature.” Galatians 5:17 tells us, “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”

We have an advantage as Christians when we make an all-out commitment to serve Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to guide every aspect of our lives. When we make that commitment we must be prepared to deal with the consequences. Scripture tells us what to expect. 1 Peter 5:8-9a – “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”

Some of us have yielded to our bodies’ desires and allow our bodies to control who we are. We may be addicted to smoking, drugs, food, alcohol or sex. We then are controlled by our body and not by our mind or spirit.

When we accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior we are asked to repent and change from the world’s ways. However, to repent we must overcome the control our bodies have over us and allow our mind and spirit to take over and control our bodies.

There are some who convert to Christianity and instantaneously allow their mind and spirit to take over realizing that their body was out of control. Others, it takes time for the Holy Spirit to make us aware of our body’s power and control over us.

No matter whom we are from time-to-time we must deal with our earthly natures. We have two choices. We can give in to it or we can fight it. But we have learned that we can win this eternal war, not by continuous struggle, but by continuously surrendering and allowing the Holy Spirit to win the war for us. Paul wrote in Romans 8:2 – “because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free.”

It is not as important who you see when I pass by but it is important to me that I am no longer wearing a mask. What you see is who I really am!