Running to Win

I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

–1 Corinthians 9:27

How do we make sure that pleasure never causes us to wander away from God? In 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, Paul wrote, “Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore . . . I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

Paul said the Christian life is like a race. To win, we have to discipline ourselves so we aren’t distracted or overcome by pleasure. Let me share three biblical principles for winning the race.

Number one: remove any excess weight. Have you ever seen a runner wearing a heavy overcoat during a race? No! In the same way, Hebrews 12:1 says we need to “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us.” Nothing will weigh you down and hold you back in your relationship with God more than unconfessed sin. Are you involved in any relationships or enslaved to any addictions that are pulling you down spiritually? You need to deal decisively with those sins in your life.

Number two: say no to a specific pleasure in your life every day. In 1 Corinthians 9:27, Paul said, “I discipline my body and make it my slave.” An athlete who wants to win has to discipline himself. I had a seminary professor who would tell us, “Say no to something every day just to remind your body who’s in charge.” Say no to that extra piece of pie. Say no to that extra television program. Say no to that extra thirty minutes in bed–not because there’s anything wrong with those things but to remind your body who’s in charge.

Number three: keep your eyes on the finish line. A runner who allows himself to be distracted by the weather or the spectators is certain to stumble. In the same way, we have to stay focused on what’s ahead. Paul wrote, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). One day, we’re going to give an account of every word, every action, and every choice we made in this life. That ought to motivate us to discipline ourselves here and now for the day we’re going to stand before our Lord.

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Today’s devotion is adapted from “Addicted to Pleasure” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2009.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.