So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Do you think Paul went to the gym everyday to ‘discipline’ his body? If not, what do you think Paul meant by that statement? How can we be a ‘new creation’ if our physical body continues to be subject to the laws of thermodynamics? The wisdom of God through the Holy Spirit guides us through the understanding of how we are to integrate the extra-dimensional (soul and spirit) with our physical being. Are we to be aligned… body, soul, and spirit?
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Why do you think the Holy Spirit told Paul that the human being was to be aligned in that order? Do you know what your spirit consists of? What parts of us does our spirit contain? What should take precedence over all the other parts of you? Does the Holy Spirit truly have all of you? Do you even listen to His guidance for your life? Is He in control of every part of you, or are you the one in the driver’s seat? How much is your body / flesh setting your agenda for the day? Is hunger your number one driving force? Or any other bodily desire? How much is your soul / emotions / and feelings controlling what you do during your day and how you react to things? Is your spirit in control over how you navigate all of your feelings? Galatians 5:16-21 is a good list to describe the desires of the flesh nature within us.
Are you being led to ‘fast’ certain parts of your flesh nature so that your spirit comes in alignment with the Holy Spirit? By far the flesh part of us has the loudest voice within us. Then comes the ever wobbling soul with all of it’s emotions / feelings and soul senses. Our spirit in alignment with the Holy Spirit set by our will and choices by following His direction should be ‘calling the shots’ of our lives. Can you hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit within you? Is your spirit attuned to tiniest direction from the Holy Spirit?
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25
Fasting food is a quick way to find out how much your body is control of your day.
Ponder the implications of the following scripture in conjunction with today’s topic.
The true Light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:9-13 (underline my emphasis)