“The greatest truth we can ever be told is that our old self has gone. I can deal with the body of sin only as I realize that my old self has gone, and I have a new self. This is the most striking and amazing truth.” —D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Yin and Yang, good dogs and bad dogs, the force and its dark side. I’m telling you, the Christianized version of Taoism isn’t just wrong; it sets our minds on the wrong thing. Think about it: if we are constantly worried about some sort of battle going on inside of us, we’re constantly focusing on ourselves, right? Our thoughts sound like this:

 list of 6 items
• I can’t give in!
• I have to win this war that rages within me.
• I have to get my act together.
• I have to suppress the bad part of me so that the good part of me can show
• Jesus.
• Jesus, help me!
 
 Sure, this looks pretty pious on the outside, but in reality, we have been tricked into a self-centered struggle to try to do what’s right, rather than a Christ-centered celebration of what He has already accomplished on the cross.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. —Colossians 3:1-3
Interesting, isn’t it! The death of our old sinful self can change the focus of everything! Where is your heart set today?
Christ, I praise You for the death of my sinful nature with You on the cross. Shift my focus away from who I once was but am no longer. Set my heart on You, reigning in grace and righteousness with the Father! Amen.