Ready:
“Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” – 哥林多前书 9:24-27
Set:
“Do as I say but not as I do” is not an effective leadership strategy, whether as an athlete or coach. Yet we sometimes default to this strategy. We encourage our teammates or players to keep their emotions in check, but then we lose it when someone makes a mistake or a game official misses a call. We talk about the importance of taking care of ourselves, but then we make repeated choices that undermine our own physical, emotional and spiritual health. These are issues of self-control.
加拉太书 5:22-23 records the fruit of the Spirit—qualities that characterize us as God, through His Spirit, grows us in spiritual maturity. Self-control is the final quality listed. Most of us struggle with self-control in at least some areas. How can we make progress in this quality that is so crucial to competing and living for Christ’s honor? Utilizing a sports metaphor, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 addresses how we “run to win.” Here are three dimensions of growth in self-control:
1. Recognize what’s at stake. When it comes to the life for which God created you, self-control plays an essential role in determining whether you receive the prize (v. 24) or you’re disqualified (v. 27). You will only experience the fullness of all God desires to do in and through you—as a competitor and in other areas—as you exercise self-control.
2. Do a personal “self-control assessment.” Take an honest look at the various areas of your life. Where is self-control lacking? Is it with your anger, your words or even the way you express yourself nonverbally? Do you struggle with self-control with certain appetites, such as eating, consumption of social media or sexual desires expressed in sinful ways? Ask God to reveal to you where you’re “running aimlessly” and undermining His good design for you.
3. Follow Jesus’ example of exercising self-control for the benefit of others. Consider how Jesus disciplined His body and brought it under strict control (v. 27) so that He could fulfill His mission. He resisted every temptation to sin. He did not retaliate when He was subjected to false accusations, cruel suffering and an undeserved execution on a cross. In all things, Jesus exercised self-control for our benefit: so that we can experience salvation and life in Him.
Self-control brings significant rewards to you and to those around you! As you grow in this quality through the Spirit’s work, you will “run to win” for the Lord’s honor.
Go:
In what areas of your life do you need to respond to the Spirit’s work to grow you in self-control?
How does Jesus’ example encourage and inspire you toward greater self-control?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord Jesus, I praise You because Your self-control brought salvation and life to me. I pray that through Your Spirit’s enabling, I grow in self-control in all areas so that I compete and live for Your honor. Amen.”