Spent the afternoon today in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Here’s what it says:
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Sigh. Gah, this is a tough post to write. Not gonna get any new fan club members with this one, I’m sure. 🤣
I love that last part about disciplining my body. When you look up discipline in the Greek in this context, it is saying “to strike under the eye”, basically to give yourself a black eye…treat yourself severely as to teach yourself. Now, I’m not saying go beat yourself up, or anyone else for matter, but maybe, just maybe if we would learn to bring ourselves under strict control and give ourselves a figurative “black eye” instead of telling everyone else what is wrong with them, voicing our opinion “because we can” or being a bully on social media to a complete stranger, we can prove ourselves worthy of the calling of which we have been called. We call ourselves “Christians”, yet we look no different than this evil world. And trust me, whether you want to admit it or not, this world is evil.
We love to disqualify everyone else, don’t we. We enjoy seeing others fail. Others lose. We love to point out others faults. You know what we are doing when we are doing all that? We are hitting aimlessly in the air like verse 26 says. We are missing the mark as believers. We have no self-control…no discipline. We say we run with a purpose, but our actions show our only purpose is to navigate through this world by throwing punches in the air and hoping they land on someone other than ourselves. I took a hard look in my spiritual mirror today and realized I need to give myself a couple of black eyes. There are so many things within me that need “beating out” before I can further stand out as “not of this world”. I’ve missed the mark so many times.
Maybe you are like me and some stuff needs to be beat out of you, too? It’s easy to allow this world and our flesh to take over in times like these…when everyone seems to be at odds with one another and looking for a fight. However, scripture tells us to examine ourselves and in doing that, we will find that we are disqualified without Jesus. Even with Jesus, we have to deny ourselves daily.
How do I discipline myself? I’m so glad you asked. 😉. Through Scripture and prayer.
If God says it’s wrong, it’s wrong.
If God says it’s right, it’s right.
We have become conditioned to listen to everyone else instead of God. We cannot allow the desires of our flesh to rule over our inner man. Maybe you are struggling with your flesh and just need reassurance that you aren’t alone, I don’t know…but I do know that you don’t have to stand there continuing to beat yourself up. There is victory in Christ Jesus. Take off your gloves and trust Him to discipline through His Word, but most importantly to deliver you from every black eye.
Self-discipline through scripture. It isn’t popular, but it wins rewards.