You might be familiar with the old Cherokee story about the two wolves that battle inside each person. One is brave and noble, the other hostile and bitter. And which one wins? The legend concludes: “The one you feed.”

Jesus gave us two other figures to battle. Not wolves, but a pharisee and a tax collector. The former stood proud in the Temple and praised God for making him better than others, more pious and sacrificial. The latter bowed his head and said, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner,” Jesus said it was the latter who went home justified.

So which do we feed? Do we feed our pride, puffing ourselves up and expecting God to thankful He knows us? Or do we feed our humility, and recognize our failings, our need for redemption?

There’s something to remember here. Feeding the Pharisee doesn’t mean he wins. It only means we lose. Pride and entitlement gets us nowhere with God. God loves us, but He doesn’t have to put up with us. Only by being his children can we successfully come to Him. “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

We invite you to join us Sunday morning, at 9:30 a.m. for adult Sunday School and 10:30 a.m. for worship. We’re located on the corner of First and High Street in Steelville. For more information, check out our website at steelvillepresbyterian.org.