In his book Adjust Or Self-Destruct, Craig Massey draws some familiar parallels between our actions as human beings and those of animals. Here are a few of them: A "snake in the grass" is a cunning, deceitful person. A grouch is an "old bear." A coward is a "chicken," and a glutton is a "hog." We've all used such descriptive terms, as well as acted them out in our own lives.

When we turn in faith to Christ, we become new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17), but the "animals" of our old life do not just curl up and die. They keep trying to assert themselves. Paul saw them as springing from "the flesh" (Galatians 5:17). He didn't mean our physical body, but that sinful disposition inherited from Adam (Romans 7:18-21; Galatians 5:16-21). No matter how spiritually mature we become in this life, these tendencies stay with us.

But there's good news. By faith we are one with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17), and His Spirit lives within us to enable us to overcome sinful thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Our faith must not be passive, however. Once we recognize these sinful tendencies, we must reject them (Romans 6:12).

These beasts are not subdued easily. No victory is ever won without a struggle. But we can resist and overcome—in the power of God's Spirit.  —DJD  — Dennis J. De Haan