1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NLT

“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.”

You cannot substitute intention for training. We have good intentions all the time. I want to pray more. I want to control my temper. I want my marriage to honor God. Those are good intentions, but good intentions don’t automatically produce a disciplined life. There are things that have to be trained into us, and preparation has a deadline. Eventually the temptation comes; eventually the pressure comes, and when that moment arrives, the question isn’t, “What did I intend to do?” The question is, “What have I trained myself to do?”

An undisciplined life is an undefended life. Scripture says a man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. If your appetite tells you what to do, your appetite is your master. If your anger tells you what to do, your anger is your master. If your feelings determine your obedience, your feelings are your master. But self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, not a stronger version of yourself. It’s Jesus is Lord, His Spirit lives in me, and every part of my life increasingly comes under His authority. Every time you tell your flesh no and Jesus yes, you’re training. So, pick one wall. Pick the one you’ve been avoiding. You already know what it is.

Just a thought,

PSS