Frankenstein vs. The Holy Spirit

Last night I spoke in my youth group at my church and the title of my message was "How to Tame Your Frankenstein."  Crazy title yes!  As I was preparing for the message, I couldn't think about anything but the last week at training camp.  Even though, I was struggling with the experience of the training camp.  I really learned so much and it was so much to process in my mind, there wasn't much room for anything else.
The premise of my message was that we all have a Frankensteinesque monster living within us.  The sin nature that we carry is like a whole other person.  If that doesn't make sense, think about the times you have wanted to do good, but end up doing bad.  You really want to do the right thing, but the monster takes over and "oops I did it again."  (Britney Spears knows what I'm talking about.)

As I went to training camp, I wanted so bad to be a team player, love everyone, and stand out as an amazing leader.  Within one night of getting there, my monster took over and I was ready to go home and quit this whole World Race thing.  So, the remainder of the week I had a holy bout going on within me–Frankenstein v. Holy Spirit.  I would praise God during the worship service and then yell at God about why He wants me to do this.  I would joyfully clean dishes after lunch and then complain about sleeping on a school bus.  This struggle was every day, every moment.  I wish I could say it was just for training camp, but I know this bout is a lifelong one.

There are rounds within this bout and thankfully this was just one of them.  I must say when I left training camp, I am pretty sure Frankenstein got the victory.  However, the round wasn't over.  Throughout this week of reflecting, the Holy Spirit has definitely showed me that not only did he win that round, He will win every round.  I do not fight this fight alone.  He fights it for me!  I will always win!  Man, it feels good to know you will always win.  The battle is rough and bloody and often you want to wave the white flag of surrender.  When the battle is the hardest, that's when you should surrender.  Surrender to the Holy Spirit, let Him fight for you.  The monster within you is strong and the only way to defeat him is to rely on the Spirit of God to win that victory because the Spirit of God is stronger!