Scripture commands us to deny the sinful desires of the flesh, ignoring the cries of our body for the “pleasures” sin affords. Giving in is most certainly enjoyable for the moment, but the long-term ramifications aren’t worth it. We must choose to live each day with the understanding that yielding to the sinful desires of our flesh will compromise our ability to successfully run the race, and we will not be able to fulfill our life’s purpose.
Learn more about the ministry of The Purity Coach at http://www.thepuritycoach.com
Scripture commands us to deny the sinful desires of the flesh, ignoring the cries of our body for the “pleasures” sin affords. Giving in is most certainly enjoyable for the moment, but the long-term ramifications aren’t worth it. We must choose to live each day with the understanding that yielding to the sinful desires of our flesh will compromise our ability to successfully run the race, and we will not be able to fulfill our life’s purpose.
Learn more about the ministry of The Purity Coach at http://www.thepuritycoach.com
Scripture commands us to deny the sinful desires of the flesh, ignoring the cries of our body for the “pleasures” sin affords. Giving in is most certainly enjoyable for the moment, but the long-term ramifications aren’t worth it. We must choose to live each day with the understanding that yielding to the sinful desires of our flesh will compromise our ability to successfully run the race, and we will not be able to fulfill our life’s purpose.
Welcome to the Point of Purity Podcast! I’m your host Steve Etner – author, National Speaker, Certified Professional Mentor TM and Purity Coach for The Pure Man Ministry and this is Episode #171 . In this episode we continue our mini-series on Glorifying God as we discover how our thinking impacts our doing. This week’s Episode is simply entitled “Running the Race.”
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 the apostle Paul writes, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
Paul uses a reference here to the Greek games from which we get our modern day Olympics. He likens the Christian life to that of a long-distance runner who is running with a singular goal in mind. Running in such a way as to get the prize. Now, I’m not much of a runner (truth be told, I don’t run at all ), but I do know that in order to run the distance you have to be in shape.
In verse 25 Paul says, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.” This “strict training” involves putting the body through some significant disciplines. The runner must not only exercise, but also be very attentive about what they put into their body. The right kind of foods, no alcohol, no smoking, no illicit drugs, etc. Each runner must daily train in such a way that he is able to control the unfruitful longings and desires of the flesh so that he can accomplish his ultimate goal – standing on the winner’s podium.
If he is not disciplined in his training, he runs the high risk that those selfish longings and desires get in the way of achieving the ultimate goal of winning the race. So, he must daily (often moment-by-moment) deny his fleshly desires, ignoring the cries of his body for rest, relaxation, and the pleasures of certain foods. The one who trains for the run must constantly push and exert his body, taking it to the limit and beyond. He begrudgingly knows that if he chooses to give in and yield to those fleshly desires, he would not be able to finish the course and win the prize.
As a Christian, you should also deny the desires of the flesh, ignoring the cries of your body for the “pleasures” sin affords. Giving in is most certainly enjoyable for the moment, but the long-term ramifications aren’t worth it. You must choose to live each day with the understanding that yielding to the sinful desires of your flesh will compromise your ability to successfully run the race, and you will not be able to fulfill your life’s purpose (1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:17).
Paul goes on to say, “They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:25) The athlete running in a race knows there is the risk that he or she will not win. So, they push themselves beyond their limits so that they might win the prize at the end of the race. Paul’s point is that the Christian is also running in a race. A race that requires spiritual training.
“For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 )
The bottom line for the Christian is that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The exciting thing about the race that Christians are running is that every Christian who applies themselves to careful training will win!
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also law aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
Running this race is not easy. It requires endurance through the rough times. It means persevering through the pain of trials and testing, pushing through by the power of the Spirit. The only way we can run like this is to go into strict training. We aren’t running for a gold medal that will eventually tarnish and then sit in a closet somewhere. We are running to receive a “crown that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:25) Paul writes, “And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forwards to his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8) This promised prize is one “that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:4)
When an athlete is preparing for the main event, he places specific restrictions upon himself. He is very careful about diet, sleep, exercise, and so on. He sets up daily routines and tries hard to not deviate from them. This doesn’t come naturally for him. It is a requirement he submits himself to. It’s no different for you and me. If you expect to grow and excel in your Spiritual life, you must place specific restrictions upon yourself.
This is why Paul said we should never try to live the Christian life without a purpose or goal in mind. “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.” (1 Corinthians 9:25-26a) The person who runs with a purpose is looking straight ahead to his end goal. All of his attention is focused on the finish line. We are to “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a)
The person who runs with a purpose doesn’t give up. The person who runs with intent pushes on no matter what. Paul expressed it this way: “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:14) To “press on” means to run swiftly in order to catch that which you are pursuing. Don’t quit. Don’t give up.
Paul then moves his illustration from the athlete on the track to that of a boxer who is shadow boxing (1 Corinthians 9:26). A shadow boxer is “beating the air” instead of hitting an opponent. Although shadow boxing can help a boxer warm up his muscles and get into a rhythm, it does not constitute real boxing. He is hitting the air, not fighting his adversary. Shadow boxing is simply a means of getting ready for the main event.
In real boxing, there is a purpose to each blow. Paul’s point is this: if all you ever do is spiritually shadow box, if all you do is put on a show for others, you will not know genuine spiritual victory. You need to actually get into the ring and strike precise blows against your enemy (which in this case is your sinful flesh).
This leads us to verse 27, where Paul says, “No, I beat my body and make it my slave.” This is because “I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” (Romans 7:18a) If you do not submit control of your body to the Holy Spirit, that King-Me oriented flesh will lead you down the path of sin every time (just like that car with its wheels out of alignment). The choice is yours. You must not let your body’s sinful desires dictate to you what you will and will not do. It must not exercise kingly authority over you.
“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” (Genesis 4:7)
God’s will is that you be sanctified (living a life that is set apart for him). “God’s will is for you to be holy,” this is why “each of you (must) control his own body and live in holiness and honor.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4) When you choose to give in to the sinful desires of your flesh you are choosing to not do what is right. You are choosing to worship a false god (King Me).
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
As a Christian you are to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Ephesians 4:1) We are commanded to “cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) This means we must take control of our bodies.
Continuing our look at 1 Corinthians 9:27, we see that Paul “beats” his body. This is a very strong term meaning “to turn black and blue.” On the surface it might appear that Paul is advocating self-flagellation. I assure you; he is not. This concept of “beating the body” in Scripture refers to treating your body with severity, subjecting it to stern and rigid discipline, leaving no room for error. Paul puts it this way in Romans 6:19: “I am speaking in human terms, because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.”
Scripture commands us to deny the sinful pleasures the flesh craves. We are to be stern and rigid in the discipline of your body. No matter how much your flesh cries out for satisfaction and fulfillment, if what it craves does not glorify God, you must deny what it wants, submitting control of your body over to God. This often involves great difficulty and even, sometimes, pain; which is why Paul says “I beat my body.”
Furthermore, Paul writes this in the present tense, active voice, and indicative mood. Every moment of the day (present tense) you need to beat your body and make it a slave to the godly desires of the new nature. You can never let up. And if you don’t do it, it’s not going to get done (active voice). No one else can do it to you or for you. There is no room for deliberation on this. It’s a simple statement of fact (indicative mood).
OK. Let’s hit the pause button until next week’s episode as we continue our miniseries on How to Glorify God. In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about today’s study, or if you’re interested in learning more about The Pure Man Ministry (what we do to help men across the globe find freedom and victory over sexual sin),, be sure to visit our website to see the multitude of resources we’ve made available to you – you can find our website at ThePurityCoach.com
One of those resources I have been highlighting for you here is my book entitled “Extreme Mind Makeover: How to transform sinful thoughts and habits into patterns of life pleasing to God.” This book takes you on a journey through the Bible to examine what God has to say about how your thoughts, words, and actions influence and impact your heart. In fact – much of what you heard in today’s episode was taken directly from Chapter 7 of this book “Extreme Mind Makeover.” So go to our website, ThePurityCoach.com, and check out our resources page, or go directly to Amazon.com and purchase your copy of “Extreme Mind Makeover” today.
And if you have not yet subscribed to this podcast, let me encourage you to do so today so you won’t miss any of our upcoming episodes!
So, until next time this is Author, Speaker, Certified Professional Mentor TM and Purity Coach Steve Etner reminding you that if you are going to glorify God in your everyday living, He must first be glorified in your every moment thinking.