Go For the Gold with Self Control
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1Corinthians 9:24-27)
As the world turns its attention to the Winter Olympics I am reminded from the Bible that in one way or another – every one of us are already involved in competition. “Who are we competing with?” you ask. Ourselves. >From the moment we enter into this world, we are in a battle to learn how to practice self-control.
In a department store a young husband was minding the baby while his wife was making a purchase. The infant was screaming and wailing and creating quite a distraction in the middle of the store, but the father seemed quite unperturbed as he quietly said over and over, “Easy now, Albert, - calm down - watch your temper – take it easy Albert.” A woman passing by took note of the way the husband was rocking the child back and forth and calmly handling the situation. She stopped for a moment and remarked, “I must congratulate you! You seem to know just how to speak to a baby.” “Baby nothing!” came the reply. “MY name is Albert!”
OK, let’s see a raise of hands – and be honest now; Has anybody reading this ever struggled with self-control? (You can go ahead and raise your hand as you’re reading – nobody is looking!) Like Albert, we’ve all faced situations where maintaining self-control is very difficult. For many, developing self-control is one of the most difficult battles they face in life. From the cradle to the grave it can be one long battle that never ends. Yet it is one of the qualities that God fully expects to develop in every one of his children. Self-control is listed last in the Fruit of Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) While scholars may argue over why this quality appears last in the list, one thing is certain; Without self-control, there is no way the other qualities can be produced and maintained in our life. You might be the wisest person in the world, the strongest person in the world, or the most educated person in the world. Without self-control you will still live a self-defeating lifestyle. Remember Samson from the Old Testament? He literally was the strongest man in the world, but was enslaved by his lusts and desires because he lacked self-control. Strength without self-control got him into a great deal of trouble.
The opposite of a self-controlled person is a person who has no discipline in their life and responds to life by simply reacting to impulse - much like an infant does. Whatever impulse comes their way, they respond to it. If they feel the urge to smoke – they are reaching for the pack. If they feel angry – they are vomiting verbally all over the people around them. Whatever impulse comes their way – they respond to it without processing it through a grid of discipline. They can’t say “no” to themselves. Just think of the problems in your life, which could have been avoided if you had only practiced self-control. How can it be produced in your life?
* Make it a goal (9:24) “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” The goal for the athlete is to win the prize. The prize is the motivation the athlete needs in order to persevere during the training and discipline required to be a winner. The reason most of us do not exercise self-control is because we haven’t thought much about seeing it develop in our lives. There is no motivation to discipline ourselves if we haven’t made it a goal in our lives.
* Learn to practice self-discipline. (9:25) “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.” Athletes train their bodies to compete. If an athlete expects to excel, he voluntarily and often severely restricts his liberty. His sleep, his diet, and his exercise are not determined by his rights or by his feelings but by the requirements of his training. Stop thinking about “what you think you deserve” or “what you think you have a right to do.” Those thoughts are a clear expression of pride in your life - which will keep you enslaved as long as you live on this earth. Accept the reality that a mature lifestyle involves self-sacrifice and self-discipline.
* Focus intently on developing self-control. (9:25b-26) “They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.” Pay close attention to every single detail in every single step you take. Paul says, “I watch each step I take very carefully.” Don’t allow yourself the license of “one little slip-up.” Don’t give in to “just-this-time-only.” Don’t fall for, “I-deserve-this-right-now.” I can pretty much guarantee you can come up with some rationalization of why you think you have a right to abandon self-control. Whether you are facing stress, job pressure, family issues, or financial pressures or an unfair situation – these are all excuses people use to justify their lack of self-control. Every time you focus on your “reasoning” instead of maintaining self-control, you will stumble. Each time you stumble there will likely be a price to pay - in your life and in the relationships in your life.
. * Decide to live by a higher standard. (9:27) I beat my body, and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” There are days when the athlete’s body is tired and sore, but he continues training. There are days when he doesn’t feel like training, but he does so anyway. There are days when he begins to doubt his ability to outperform the other competitors, but he keeps on training. In other words, he behaves according to the standard he sets for himself, not the impulses he feels. Because he has set a higher standard to live by – he keeps his bodily impulses under control. He leads his body – not the other way around.
Now you might be reading this and thinking, “I’ve failed so many times in this one area. I just don’t think I will ever see victory.” Don’t you believe that, because it’s not true according to God’s Word. 2 Peter 1:3 teaches, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.” Get your strength from your relationship with Jesus and you will see self-control begin to develop and grow in your life. Go for the gold!
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
As the world turns its attention to the Winter Olympics I am reminded from the Bible that in one way or another – every one of us are already involved in competition. “Who are we competing with?” you ask. Ourselves. >From the moment we enter into this world, we are in a battle to learn how to practice self-control.
In a department store a young husband was minding the baby while his wife was making a purchase. The infant was screaming and wailing and creating quite a distraction in the middle of the store, but the father seemed quite unperturbed as he quietly said over and over, “Easy now, Albert, - calm down - watch your temper – take it easy Albert.” A woman passing by took note of the way the husband was rocking the child back and forth and calmly handling the situation. She stopped for a moment and remarked, “I must congratulate you! You seem to know just how to speak to a baby.” “Baby nothing!” came the reply. “MY name is Albert!”
OK, let’s see a raise of hands – and be honest now; Has anybody reading this ever struggled with self-control? (You can go ahead and raise your hand as you’re reading – nobody is looking!) Like Albert, we’ve all faced situations where maintaining self-control is very difficult. For many, developing self-control is one of the most difficult battles they face in life. From the cradle to the grave it can be one long battle that never ends. Yet it is one of the qualities that God fully expects to develop in every one of his children. Self-control is listed last in the Fruit of Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) While scholars may argue over why this quality appears last in the list, one thing is certain; Without self-control, there is no way the other qualities can be produced and maintained in our life. You might be the wisest person in the world, the strongest person in the world, or the most educated person in the world. Without self-control you will still live a self-defeating lifestyle. Remember Samson from the Old Testament? He literally was the strongest man in the world, but was enslaved by his lusts and desires because he lacked self-control. Strength without self-control got him into a great deal of trouble.
The opposite of a self-controlled person is a person who has no discipline in their life and responds to life by simply reacting to impulse - much like an infant does. Whatever impulse comes their way, they respond to it. If they feel the urge to smoke – they are reaching for the pack. If they feel angry – they are vomiting verbally all over the people around them. Whatever impulse comes their way – they respond to it without processing it through a grid of discipline. They can’t say “no” to themselves. Just think of the problems in your life, which could have been avoided if you had only practiced self-control. How can it be produced in your life?
* Make it a goal (9:24) “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” The goal for the athlete is to win the prize. The prize is the motivation the athlete needs in order to persevere during the training and discipline required to be a winner. The reason most of us do not exercise self-control is because we haven’t thought much about seeing it develop in our lives. There is no motivation to discipline ourselves if we haven’t made it a goal in our lives.
* Learn to practice self-discipline. (9:25) “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.” Athletes train their bodies to compete. If an athlete expects to excel, he voluntarily and often severely restricts his liberty. His sleep, his diet, and his exercise are not determined by his rights or by his feelings but by the requirements of his training. Stop thinking about “what you think you deserve” or “what you think you have a right to do.” Those thoughts are a clear expression of pride in your life - which will keep you enslaved as long as you live on this earth. Accept the reality that a mature lifestyle involves self-sacrifice and self-discipline.
* Focus intently on developing self-control. (9:25b-26) “They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.” Pay close attention to every single detail in every single step you take. Paul says, “I watch each step I take very carefully.” Don’t allow yourself the license of “one little slip-up.” Don’t give in to “just-this-time-only.” Don’t fall for, “I-deserve-this-right-now.” I can pretty much guarantee you can come up with some rationalization of why you think you have a right to abandon self-control. Whether you are facing stress, job pressure, family issues, or financial pressures or an unfair situation – these are all excuses people use to justify their lack of self-control. Every time you focus on your “reasoning” instead of maintaining self-control, you will stumble. Each time you stumble there will likely be a price to pay - in your life and in the relationships in your life.
. * Decide to live by a higher standard. (9:27) I beat my body, and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” There are days when the athlete’s body is tired and sore, but he continues training. There are days when he doesn’t feel like training, but he does so anyway. There are days when he begins to doubt his ability to outperform the other competitors, but he keeps on training. In other words, he behaves according to the standard he sets for himself, not the impulses he feels. Because he has set a higher standard to live by – he keeps his bodily impulses under control. He leads his body – not the other way around.
Now you might be reading this and thinking, “I’ve failed so many times in this one area. I just don’t think I will ever see victory.” Don’t you believe that, because it’s not true according to God’s Word. 2 Peter 1:3 teaches, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.” Get your strength from your relationship with Jesus and you will see self-control begin to develop and grow in your life. Go for the gold!
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
posted by Larry | 9:55 PM
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