Goodbye Bad Friend

I became quite familiar with someone this last year. Oh, I have known her since the day I was born, but somehow she and I haven't encountered each other before quite like we did this last year.

I have decided I do not like her. Nope. I do not like her at all!

She and I have argued, wrestled, debated, tried to bargain... all to no avail.

I asked her politely to leave, but let me tell you... she is a fighter. She does not fight nice. She is not polite. She is a scrapper. She is vicious.

I have realized that I can't bargain with her. I can't be polite with her. I can't give her only pieces to enjoy, for she demands everything.

She must go. She can not stay. I can't even let her come for a visit, for her desire is to completely take over.  Her presence leads to destruction in my soul and to those around me.

I have also found that she does not leave with the first request. She somehow, secretly and quietly, sneaks back in unannounced and begins what she is best at... taking over.

I am learning that to keep her away requires daily checking of the places and corners of my heart to make sure she is not hiding somewhere, quietly lurking, secretly working her magic to overtake once again.

She must leave. She leaves absolutely no room for Him. I am convinced He must have everything.

I have met face to face... my flesh woman, that part of me that is the sinful, selfish carnal nature.

Goodbye flesh woman. You've been a bad friend!

Ephesians 4:22-24

(NLT) "Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy."

(Message) "Everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you."