1 Corinthians 9:25a
Ps Paul Cheng
~3 min read
The Christian life is likened to a race, and in order to run faithfully, he has to run not only to complete the race but to win. Next, the Apostle Paul continued to speak on how to run with self-control.
II. Run with self-control
1 Corinthians 9:25a, And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
The original word for the phrase striveth for the mastery is from where we get the English word for agony. The Christian race is a brisk jog or walk but an agonising run requires determination, perseverance, self-discipline and self-control (temperate).
The athlete has to deny himself many things. He may be tempted to go out and eat food he really enjoys, or go out to parties. But he has to exercise self-control and discipline himself to say, “No!” There are certain things that will hinder him from winning the prize, and those things have to go.
The importance of self-control is well-explained in Proverbs 25:28, He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. In ancient times, walls were needed to protect the inhabitants i.e. to protect themselves against the enemies; otherwise they would be attacked on every side. The strong walls were meant to create a barrier between the inhabitants and the enemies. This illustration was used to describe that self-control acts as a barrier between the believer and the forces that come against him.
In exercising self-control, one is building up barriers for himself; there are things he cannot do for which he has to deny them because they are not good for him. As Hebrews 12:1 exhorts, Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Every believer is responsible to lay aside whatever weight that may potentially hinder him. Not all weights are sinful; whether they be a friendship, an association, an event, a place, a habit or an entertainment, etc. But if this otherwise “good thing” has become a hindrance to the believer, then it must be removed from his life.
Thus, one needs to honestly examine his own life; the way he uses his time, money and resources. One needs to consider what is of greater spiritual value. If something has become an unnecessary weight to him, then he has to lay it aside, and to exercise self-control to stay away from it, or else it is going to weigh him down. It could be the internet, perhaps the exorbitant amount of time he spends on face-book. Or it could be the time spent on holidays, hobbies, work and friends, that caused him to have no time to worship and serve the Lord. If all those things have become a hindrance to his spiritual life, then he must exercise self-control and deny himself because of his love for Jesus Christ.
The first step is to acknowledge what are the things one needs to exercise self-control. The runner will not do well, if he is not able to recognise the things that are always hindering his performance. Just as the believer will not be able to run the Christian race well, if he is ignorant of the things that are stumbling him; it may not be things tangible but intangible like his pride, envy, jealousy or his love for worldliness.
Once the believer has acknowledged the potential hindrance, the second step is to purpose in his heart not to sin against God. Job 31:1, I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? What Job meant is, “I have to be careful with what I see, and I have to exercise self-control in this area, because this is where I may sin. So, I have a covenant with my eyes. If my eyes easily stray away unto unwholesome things, then I have to purpose in my heart not to sin against God in that area.”
The third step is to meditate on the Word of God because God will show him the things he needs to exercise self-control so that he may have the victory. Psalm 119:9, Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. In other words, how can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping his heart and mind completely committed and guarded by the Word of God. It is this constant input of God’s Word that begins to fill the believer’s mind which will help him to live a life pleasing and acceptable unto God. Psalm 37:31, The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
Dear friend, this is how we should run the race faithfully, by exercising self-control. We must acknowledge what are the hindrance/s, and make a commitment not to give in to it/them, and also to meditate on the Word of God.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
1 CORINTHIANS 9Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 1)Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 1)1 Corinthians 9:1-6
Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 2)Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 2)1 Corinthians 9:7-11
Having To Pay To Hear The Gospel?Having To Pay To Hear The Gospel?1 Corinthians 9:15-19
All Things To All MenAll Things To All Men1 Corinthians 9:19-23
How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 1)How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 1)1 Corinthians 9:24
How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 3)How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 3)1 Corinthians 9:25b
How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 2)How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 2)1 Corinthians 9:25a