THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - SELF-CONTROL

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (1 Corinthians 9:25 NKJV)

 In his early life Paul must have been keen on sports! He uses the phrases for the gymnast, the boxer, and the racer. He had probably stood, many times, watching the great games, which were held in various parts of the Greek-speaking world. He knew the long and arduous training through which competitors had to pass.

Paul was running a race for an imperishable crown. He had no doubt as to his goal, and therefore did not run uncertainly. He went straight as an arrow to its mark, and his mark was to win souls for Christ. To gain some, to save some, was his passion (1 Corinthians 9:22). He needed to discipline himself, putting aside much that was innocent in itself, and which others could enjoy without reproach (Romans 14:13-21). The Apostle was also engaged in a boxing-match, his own body being the antagonist. He knew that spiritual power existed for his appropriation in Christ, but to have it he must be a spiritual man, and to be that necessitated the arresting of his fleshly appetites.

We must exercise "self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control." It's best to hand over the whole of our nature to the Master, and ask Him to direct, control, suggest each day whatever we think, or do, or say. It is infinitely happier to be Christ-controlled than self-controlled. Happy are they who from the earliest are able to subordinate the delights of sense, however innocent, to some high quest of the spirit. The soldier has to forfeit many things which are legitimate for the civilian, because he must be able to march rapidly from place to place. He has to forego the use of many comforts, but he is compensated if his name is placed on the honors list. The farmer has to submit to hardships of weather and to encounter difficulties and discomforts which do not occur in the lives of others; but there is no other way if he is to obtain the fruits of his work. These deny themselves for lower considerations, but we have an infinitely higher object in view; but by so much the more should we lay aside every weight. Never forget Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, your great Savior and life-giver - the source of all spiritual power.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, engraft Your Son, Jesus Christ my Lord, inwardly in my heart, that I may bring forth the fruit of holy living, to the honor and praise of Your name. I pray in Jesus' holy name, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #318:
I will shower My Spirit and My blessings on your offspring.

Isaiah 44:3 (WEB)
For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and streams on the dry ground.
I will pour my Spirit on your seed, and my blessing on your offspring: