No, I’m not referring to the battle between the North and the South of 1861-1865. I am referring to the ongoing present-day battle between our fleshly nature (pleasing ourselves) and the spirit of Christ within us. Let’s allow God’s Word to illustrate:

Romans 8:5-8 NIV

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

As Christians, we must ask ourselves, “What is our mind set on?” 

Was our mind set on spending time with God in prayer and His word at anytime this day?

Was our mind set on pleasing God with our words, attitudes, and actions as we proceeded through our day?

Was our mind set on seeking God’s will as we faced the problems of our day?

What is our mind set on when we encounter suffering?

What is our mind set on when others wound or attack us?

What is our mind set on when we are tempted to fear?

What is our mind set on when we are tempted to judge another’s actions?

     This is not an all-inclusive list of questions, but enough I hope to prompt an evaluation. How we answer these questions reveals who rules our desires. If our mind is set on pleasing God, then our enemy will make certain to come against us. The war between our flesh and God’s Spirit within us ensues. Our civil war indicates the presence of God’s Spirit actively fighting against our fleshly desires.

But if there is no civil war, then it’s imperative to our eternal existence that we answer this question: Why not?