Mr. Weenie’s Dilemma
My youngest son is heading to college and has begun the process of sifting through 18 years of collected “stuff”. This week he tackled his nightstand, amassing a stack of cartoon Bibles and youth devotionals. His pile of yesteryear evoked nostalgia as I leafed through the pages, remembering days when the books were just his speed. Skimming through a daily devotional, I randomly chose an entry that referenced the character Mr. Weenie from the movie Open Season. I vaguely remembered the animated movie about a turf war between hunters and a bunch of misfit forest animals. Mr. Weenie was grafted into the crusade after being freed from his chains in an RV. It was a fairly predictable movie intended to amuse an audience of 5-10 year olds.
Apparently, Mr. Weenie has something to say to grown-ups too, as I was reminded during Sunday’s sermon. Galatians 5:13 begins with “You my brothers, were called to be free”. Verses 16-18 instruct us to “walk in the Spirit” and “not gratify the desires of the flesh”. Paul writes that the flesh and the Spirit are in conflict with one another. Romans 7:18b-19 says it this way:
“For I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do- this I keep doing”.
This is human nature. This is “the flesh”. Doing what we want to do comes naturally but overcoming sin is the only path to true freedom. Without the ability and desire to master the flesh, we are merely its slaves.
So what does this have to do with Mr. Weenie? After going to great comedic lengths to be rescued, Mr. Weenie was finally the master of his own destiny and free to roam the wilds as nature intended. But his owners knew how to ensure his return. A carefully laid trail of dog treats led directly back to captivity. I hope you will view the 45 second clip on YouTube, easily found by searching “Open Season, Mr. Weenie, Nein Yah” (apparently he was German). You will witness his internal struggle against the desires of the flesh, and ultimately his defeat. Following the flesh quickly took him where he never intended to go.
The Christian walk is not meant to be a stroll of ease, comfort, and treats. Rather, it is a battle. We are told to “Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ”, to “put on the full armor of God”, and to “stand firm”. Paul adds “I beat my body and make it my slave”. These are fighting words!
This battle is a spiritual one, requiring spiritual weapons of war. The weapons are listed in Ephesians 6:10-18, the famous passage on the armor of God. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the power and the tools to resist the flesh and take our stand.
Mr. Weenie, had no such armaments. Furthermore, he lacked a full appreciation of where those tantalizing treats would take him. It is the same way for us. Does anyone set out to have an affair, or to embezzle funds, or to become an addict? Or is it more commonly a series of “treats” nibbled along the path to destruction, arriving at a completely unforeseen destination?
Remember Deuteronomy 30:19, that God has set before you “life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life that you and your descendants may live”. Flesh or Spirit; life or death. It is a choice.
~ Melissa Gibbs has been a member of LIFE Fellowship for over 10 years, is the mother to four boys and widow of the late JD Gibbs.