Be Disciplined
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Discipline provides people with rules to live their lives efficiently and effectively. When you have discipline in your life you can make small sacrifices in the present for a better life in the future. Discipline creates habits, habits make routines, and routines become who you are daily.
Apostle Paul preaches to the Corinthians using himself as an example in being disciplined, after being redeemed by the Lord on his way to Damascus and being filled with the Holy ghost, he now brings his body under control, what he does before no longer come into existence but putting on a new nature of Christ Jesus, this is in a bid to continually live a spirit filled life that pleases God.
Every believer must bring their body under control and being self disciplined so as to live a balanced life in God, we are not to behave like the world behaves, neither are we to covet what is in the world, as we become identified with Christ, our life should now be controlled by the Holy spirit.
Believers must not allow the lusts of the flesh to detour him from the race of salvation, He must exercise self-discipline in order to train his character to be fit for eternal dwelling. The preacher who preaches to others without bringing his lust under control, will lose his reward. Therefore, one's good works in preaching are not enough to save one from an unholy life.
Ways by which we must discipline our body.
1. In speech
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Whatever that comes out of our mouth can either make us or Mar us, evil speech must be replaced with speech that edifies one's fellow man. Believers must always be on guard concerning their speech. Wicked speech will always damage the relationship between individuals it will damage the unity of the brethren, therefore believers should make special effort to control their tongue in order to speak those things that encourage others.
2. In material things.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Although we are not of the world, yet we are in the world, but as a believer we must not be too attached with the things of this world by loving it else our mind will be diverted from the things above. Believers must not be directed in his life by the evil values and morals that are maintained by those deceived by satan. When we bring our desire under subjection, we will not be lost in covetousness that leads to death and destruction
Gehazi could not disciplined himself from material things so he went after Nahaam to collect gifts, thus, he became a leper for the rest of his life..
3. In spiritual activities.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Many believes after being saved there is no more problem and all will continue to be well both physically and spiritually, but contrary to this, being saved makes one become the latest wanted in the kingdom of darkness. How then can one rise to spiritual maturity without discipline.. A believer who cannot fast and pray, meditate in the scripture will be easily captured by the devil. A believer must be disciplined, restrain from food, all time sleeping and unnecessary association that adds no value to the spirit mind.
Your life becomes more rooted in God when you discipline your body for the sake of the kingdom. The holy spirit becomes your guide and you will not easily fall into temptations or sin.
Teach your body to adhere to the Habits, character and behaviour of Christ so you can become mature in God.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, help. Me to discipline myself according to your will in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, give me the grace to bring my body under subjection against the sin in Jesus Christ name
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.