Opposing Magnets

Do you remember those times in elementary sciences classes when you’d get to play with magnets? I recall watching classmates try so hard to push opposing magnets together, with no success.

Diametrically opposed.

This is an accurate description for flesh and spirit. Much like the musical Hamilton mentions “diametrically opposed foes” when describing Hamilton’s encounter with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, a piece of the human experience is this clear opposition between our fleshly, sinful nature, and the nature of Holy Spirit. Both exist within us but cannot manifest through our actions at the same time.

It shows up in so many ways from how we interact with other people, to our times alone, to our thoughts - truly every aspect of our existence. 

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

Romans 7: 15-20

So relatable. I have moments where I think and plan to do or say one thing, but the very opposite comes out...and let’s just say that what comes out leans to the fleshly side, like anger, rather than the spirit side, like grace. Thank you, Paul, for putting into words an experience I regularly encounter! 

I’ve noticed this come up quite frequently in the area of truth. The truth of what you know about God through His word sometimes feels like it comes in opposition to how we feel and interpret our experiences. We can be so quick to doubt His goodness and character!

Which brings us back to the idea of opposing magnets. When similar charges (two positives, for instance) are pushed together, they repel. Our spirit and flesh are both within us, thus the same charge type, but they cannot co-exist. No matter how hard you try to push them together, they will never attract one another.

So the question is, which one are you yielding to?