Why would someone choose to do something that is harmful to himself? Certainly we can understand if someone like the demoniac, who had an evil spirit, was injuring himself. “And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones” (Mark 5:5). 

Self harm isn’t supposed to be normal behavior. “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it,” (Ephesians 5:29a). For us the problem is when we think we are doing something good for our flesh (meaning what the flesh wants), and it is, in actuality, not good for us. Often we do know in the back of our minds, it is harmful, but we want it anyway. 

What “self” do we love and are we listening to – the new man in Christ or the old man of the flesh? Whatever man we love the most is the one we feed the most. The one we feed the most is the one who is stronger and “wins.” Clearly the demoniac had no new man and hence only did what his demon-controlled, sinful nature led him to.  

Desires Feeding

Christ-led new man, Time in the Word, Sharing Christ, Praying, Worshipping with the brethren, Discipling your children

The old man, Watching TV, Watching the world’s movies, Watching sports, Partying/drinking, Watching children in sports

My Brothers, what “man” are you feeding and hence is the one making the decisions in your life? Be Christ-led. 

Jesus said, “….Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given” (Mark 4:24).

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24).