The Two Engines

Putting diesel fuel into a gasoline engine could cause extensive damage. You would have to empty and clean the tank, flush the fuel system and hope for the best. Those who own both diesel and gasoline vehicles know this danger well. This analogy plays very well with the two engines that occupy our being, that is of the flesh and the spirit.

The word flesh here is not pertaining to the body, but rather our carnal, fleshly desires. I’m speaking to the selfish appetite that seeks to satisfy itself. Because of our sinful tendencies, our flesh has such a desire to be fed negative media full of discontentment and idolatry which essentially distracts us from our relationship with God. We cannot have a healthy relationship with God if we are continually fueling the engine of our flesh.

The spirit, subsequent to salvation, is the part of us that has been cleansed from all past impurity and been united with God’s Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, the pulls of worldly entertainment are strong, but in order to fuel the spirit we are supposed to die to the flesh daily and live in the Spirit, not the other way around. Do you ever hear an old song in the store, and it brings back memories or start quoting a punch line from a questionable movie because in that moment it is fitting for your conversation? Then you catch yourself and say, “Why am I singing this or quoting this, especially since I am a new creation in Christ and the old has passed away? Behold, the new has come!” (2 Cor 5:17) In this, I am not saying that all secular entertainment is evil, unless it is clearly preaching a message contrary to God’s. However, how will you know the difference if you are not feasting your spirit on God’s word, and in prayer, asking God to give you revelation about his message of righteousness? After all, this is how you mature and develop discernment to know the difference between good and evil. (Ref. Hebrews 5:13-14)

What drives you?

If you desire a close-knit relationship with Christ and to see Him working in your life, your family’s lives, your church and the community around you, then you must implement the above components into your walk with Christ continually. This is what fuels our spiritual engine.

Remember that the church was birthed out of waiting on the Lord by “continually devoting themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:14). After Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost and many came to know the Lord “they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). They weren’t stuck to a routine of set up, practice, sing 3 worship songs, sit for the teaching, eat a meal afterwards while discussing their favorite movie trilogy or sports stats. They were committed to Christ, His word, His body and coming before Him with the expectancy that God would answer their prayers while crying out and seeking His will.

Reevaluate what engine is driving you today. “O taste and see that the Lords is good…” (Ps 34:8) Once you’ve tasted the Lords’ forgiveness, righteousness and experienced His holiness, you will not want to depart from it.