Our Battling Natures

Two nations are in your womb; two people will come from you and be separated.  One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. (Genesis 25:23)

Personally, I find the story of Jacob and Esau quite fascinating.  Here we find two brothers who have different values, different perspectives and different allegiances in the same household; they are constantly battling each other.  In this ancient story from Torah, are we seeing an analogy of our lives?

We human beings are complex in nature; we are not two-dimensional cut-outs, easily read and easily categorized.  Rather, we are multi-dimensional, complicated and messy beings, filled with two natures: one is dedicated and devoted to our earthly desires and lusts – we may call this our Esau Nature – the other is focused on our spiritual desires and our love of Yahweh, the love of God – we may call this our Jacob Nature.

Each of these natures is in constant conflict with the other, with one trying to overwhelm the other.  How do we control and contain the battle?  I liken the battle to an individual struggle of tug-of-war, with each one’s soul caught in the middle.  We, by our own efforts, are unable to achieve victory, indeed, if we attempt the campaign on our own we will certainly lose.  No, this is a battle only Yahweh, through Adonai Yeshua, the Lord Jesus, by the Holy Spirit of the Living God can claim victory.  This is where faith becomes our greatest weapon.

By stepping forward in trust, claiming victory in the Name of our Messiah, will the forces of the Holy One be brought to bear on our behalf.  It is our trust, the active acceptance of the Power which only comes from Yahweh, Lord God, which will lead us to the shelter of His Love and the ultimate victory of our spiritual natures over our earthly natures.

Consider:  Do we recognize the battle going on inside each one of us?  Are we aware of the temptations put on our path and how we deal with those temptations?

Action:  Ask the Holy Spirit of the Living God to help us be aware of the battles raging inside us between our human desires and our spiritual needs.  Pray to Yahweh, our Mighty God for the strength to reach toward the victory He desires from each one of us.

Pray:  Abba B’Shamayim, Father in Heaven, I claim victory in the battle of my earthly verses my spiritual natures, through the word our Beloved Messiah accomplished for me on the execution stake.  It is my fervent prayer, You will continue to equip me, when faced with the temptations issued through myEsau Nature.  Sustain me, encourage me and guard me through the battle of my two natures.  In Your Blessed Name I pray.

May the God of Avraham Yitzchak and Ya’akov bless you richly