Title: Two Masters, Two Natures, One Daily Choice
Key Texts:
Matthew 6:24 · Galatians 5:16–17 · Romans 7:18–25 · Romans 8:1–14 · 1 Timothy 6:6–11 · Hebrews 12:1–3
Introduction: The Battlefield We Wake Up To Every Day
Beloved brothers and sisters,
The Christian life is not lived on a playground—it is lived on a battlefield.
Every morning we wake up pulled in two directions:
God and money
Flesh and Spirit
Temporary comfort and eternal glory
Scripture does not hide this struggle. The Bible does not present saints as people who felt no temptation, but as people who fought—and learned to depend on grace.
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other.”
— Galatians 5:17
If you feel this tension, you are not failing—you are alive in Christ.
I. God and Money: A Matter of Lordship, Not Amount
Jesus said plainly:
“No man can serve two masters… Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
— Matthew 6:24
Notice Jesus did not say money is evil.
He said serving money is incompatible with serving God.
Money Competes for the Heart
Money promises:
Security without faith
Control without surrender
Comfort without obedience
But God calls us to:
Trust
Stewardship
Contentment
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil…”
— 1 Timothy 6:10
The issue is not what is in your hands, but what is on the throne of your heart.
A Diagnostic Question
Ask yourself:
Do I make decisions primarily to obey God—or to protect my comfort?
When God calls me to give, forgive, or go, do I delay because of fear?
Money is a tool. God is a Lord. Only one can rule you.
II. Flesh and Spirit: Two Natures at War Within
Paul speaks honestly:
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing…”
— Romans 7:18
The flesh is not just the body—it is the old self:
Self-centered
Pleasure-driven
Proud
Resistant to God
The Spirit, however, produces:
Love
Self-control
Holiness
Obedience
“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
— Galatians 5:16
Notice: Paul does not say kill the flesh once and for all.
He says walk—daily, step by step.
III. Temptation Is Not Sin—Surrender Is
Even Jesus was tempted.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
— Hebrews 4:15
Temptation becomes sin when:
We entertain it
We justify it
We yield to it
The enemy often whispers:
“Just this once”
“You deserve this”
“God understands”
But grace does not excuse sin—grace empowers obedience.
IV. How Do We Fight and Resist? Practical Biblical Weapons
1. Renew Your Mind with Truth
You cannot defeat lies without truth.
“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
— Romans 12:2
Fill your mind with:
Scripture
God-centered teaching
Eternal perspective
What you feed grows. What you starve weakens.
2. Starve the Flesh, Feed the Spirit
You cannot pray for victory while feeding the very desire you want to overcome.
Jesus said:
“If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out…”
— Matthew 5:29
This means:
Remove access
Set boundaries
Be radical with holiness
Victory is often found in wise avoidance, not heroic resistance.
3. Learn Contentment
Paul writes:
“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
— Philippians 4:11
Contentment disarms both:
Greed
Lust
Comparison
A content heart is hard for temptation to manipulate.
4. Depend on Grace, Not Willpower
Willpower breaks. Grace sustains.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…”
— Romans 8:1
You fight from victory, not for victory.
When you fall:
Repent quickly
Rise humbly
Run back to Christ
The righteous are not those who never fall—but those who get up and keep walking.
V. Becoming More Like Jesus: A Lifelong Transformation
Spiritual growth is not instant—it is progressive.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”
— Hebrews 12:2
Becoming like Jesus means:
Less self, more surrender
Less craving, more contentment
Less fear, more trust
Every resisted temptation strengthens you.
Every surrendered struggle shapes you.
Every act of obedience forms Christ in you.
Conclusion: Choose Daily Whom You Will Serve
Beloved, the fight you feel is proof that God is at work in you.
The world offers:
Temporary pleasure
False security
Empty rewards
Christ offers:
True freedom
Lasting peace
Eternal life
“They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
— Galatians 5:24
So today:
Choose God over money
Choose Spirit over flesh
Choose obedience over comfort
You may not win every battle—but in Christ, the war is already won.
Walk on. Fight on. Become like Jesus.
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