FEAST OR FAMINE?

No!  Don't!  Stop!  Good puppy!  Good Hershey!  Sit!  Cookie?  How many times a day do I say these words?  I'm still in the process of training Hershey and somehow....He's not quite trained yet!  I can't quite get this precious, chocolate bundle of hair to do the things I need him to do.  Probably because I can't get into the habit, or should I say, I'm not quite trained in making sure I'm consistent in my training methods, to ensure Hershey obey the rules set down to be a good and obedient dog.  I do my best...I give him the finest "treats" to ensure he loves doing what is right.  And the things I am able to do that with (i.e.  outside potty, sit for treats and dinner, bed time, come when called), he does well.  I guess I just have to work on the other things like, no barking, heel when walking, etc.

You know, God gives us treats when we are obedient to Him as well.  We have the joy in knowing we are right with Him.  We have peace, comfort, oneness with Him.  He continues to guide us, direct us and commune with us.  He never leaves us and lives within us.  Yet, there is always this one part of us that sometimes separates us from Him.  This one part we refuse to let go.  One part, like Hershey, is our one little stubborn streak that we continue to disobey.  And we feed/treat this part, this "sin nature" of ours.  And why do we treat it, like I treat Hershey when he does things right?  With dog training, if you treat a dog for doing good, it affirms the behavior and a dog will continue the behavior.  If you stop the treat, he will discontinue the behavior.  So....if we feed our sin nature,...won't we continue the sinful behavior? But if we stop feeding the sin....won't we stop?  Example:  There is a woman who loves to decorate her home.  She is constantly buying decorator magazines and pouring through them, looking for the next new idea for her home.  She tears out pictures, draws designs out and picks out swatches to recover the furniture for her next project.  However, her husband keeps telling her they are terribly in debt and are unable to spend any money on anything.  Though the woman knows this, her habit and desire to spend continues.  You see...this sinful desire to have what she doesn't need and can't afford, what God does not intend for her at this time does not need to be fed by her continued purchase of these magazines.  If she would discontinue to feed this sinful nature of purchasing the magazines, the desire would soon fade and that part of her sinful nature would come under God's control.

So...feast or famine?  What are you feeding your sinful nature that needs to stop?  I think I've had enough.....what about you?