The book of 1 Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. Paul was a missionary, a pastor, and the writer of much of the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 9: 24-26, Paul uses an athletic metaphor for the Christian life. He compares the Christian life to a race or even a fight, and urges that followers of Jesus would live disciplined lives and “run, that you may obtain” spiritual victory.
A key aspect of spiritual maturity for Christian men is self-discipline. Self-discipline manifests itself in several key areas.
Consider two of those: self-discipline in your sex life and moral purity and self-discipline in your personal health.
Living a life of moral purity requires personal discipline. You must discipline yourself to dwell, not on things that cause you to lust, but to put Philippians 4:8 into practice:
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
The spirit of the age glorifies pornography and over-sexualization. But, the godly man keeps his sex life ordered by seeing sex and sexuality, not merely as the gratification of sensual desires, but as opportunities to honor others and glorify God. But, discipline in your sex life is not only about maintaining moral purity. When you view pornography, you not only damage your own mind and your own body, you take advantage of women by using them as objects for your own gratification rather than honoring them as image-bearers of God.
What is your greatest hindrance as you seek to live a sexually pure life? How can you overcome this obstacle?
If you are married, discipline in your sex life also includes loving your wife enough to consider her needs ahead of your own. A sanctified sex life does not seek only personal satisfaction, but sees to the needs of one’s partner. As a godly husband, you should desire to honor God by loving your wife well, even (maybe especially) in your sex life.
Have you ever considered sex to be spiritual warfare? Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-5. How is sex spiritual warfare for a married couple?
Christian men should also practice discipline in attending to their own health. Obviously, not every man is capable of the same levels of health and physical fitness. A man with a lower-limb disability is no less a godly man than a marathon runner, simply by virtue of his ability or disability. But, it should be the goal of every Christian man to be as healthy as he can be. Obesity is the greatest health challenge of our age. When you are unhealthy, you may find yourself physically unable to do the things God has called you to do.
How does your physical fitness impact your ability to serve the Lord?
Physical health is important because you are better able to lead when you are physically healthy. When your family and friends need you, you need to be healthy enough to help them. God didn’t save you to sit on the sidelines, but to do the work of the gospel.
We began with Paul’s words to the Corinthians about disciplining his body so that he could fulfill God’s purposes in his life. If the apostle Paul needed to discipline his body, then you are no different. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul urges other Christians to “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
Imitate Paul today. Discipline your your body so that you might better fulfill God’s purposes for you in your life.
How might your self-discipline for your health spill over into self-discipline in other areas of your life?
Photo by Jenny Hill on Unsplash
