Feed the Good Dog

     Several years ago, the company I worked for took a chance on hiring an ex-convict.  While in prison he had accepted Jesus Christ.  We could tell that he had a real relationship with the Lord.  After he got out of prison he had joined the church whose prison ministry had helped change his life.  While going to this church, me met and married the pastor's daughter. I had visited this church on special occasions and knew several of the members there. 
     After marrying the pastor's daughter, my friend came to his new father-in-law and had the courage to confess to him that in his sinner days, he had developed a lust for pornography.  Like any other sin, it had a grip on him that he did not know how to shake.  The Godly pastor and father-in-law gave him this analogy which will work every time, not matter what the sin is that has you bound.

     He said that inside every one of us is two dogs.  A good one and a bad one.  The good one is the one who is always faithful to us.  He guards our home and our children.  He comes when he is called.  This good dog is a pleasure to be around and makes his owner proud.  The good dog does no harm.  He is obedient and always has a sweet disposition.  Your children can play safely inside our outside and the good dog is always vigilant to protect them.  He will play carefully with them.  When the good dog is in the house, everyone feels safe.  Everyone loves to be around the good dog.
    The other dog is a mean, vicious cur.  Your family is in danger of being bitten every time they are around him.  He barks incessantly.  He tears up the flower gardens.  When you open the door of the house to go out or come in, he barges through the door.  He is extremely disobedient and refuses your orders to stop.  While inside he gets his filth all over the carpet, the furniture and anyone he goes around.  Before you can wrestle him outside, your house is wrecked and your family is left cringing in fear.
     He finished by saying this.  Whichever dog we feed the most is the one who gets stronger and stronger.  He went on to say that it was possible to kill one of these dogs simply by neglecting him and not feeding him at all.  We feed these dogs by what we think about.  Then, the pastor told him very straightly.  When we indulge in sin in our minds, the cur dog gets stronger and the Godly dog gets weaker.  But, when we meditate on God's Word and on His goodness, the good dog gets stronger and the old cur begins to die.
    
     Let's be diligent to feed the good dog.