Winning Requires Self-Control
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 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. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (I Corinthians 9: 24 – 27).
One common characteristic of every great athlete is self-control. To participate in the Isthmus Games every athlete had to check into the training facility nine months before the games. When they checked-in they checked-out of society. They went into isolation from the public and were completely cut off from everything and everyone outside.
The Greek word describing this experience is “Agonizomai.” Various translations of the Greek New Testament make its meaning more understandable. One is:
“Every man who strives for the matches trains himself by all manner of self-restraint.”
Josh Davis, the swimmer who won three gold medals in an Olympic game, spoke of his twelve years of training that resulted in a few moments of glory. Our lifetime of discipline will result in an eternity of glory.
“Anyone who enters a contest goes into strict training.”
The many splendid athletes competing in the Olympics have done so. There is an English word that has come from the Greek word describing this intensive training. It can be heard in the Greek word “agony.” Never has it been said more meaningfully, “no pain no gain.” A muscle is strengthened by being stressed. Likewise, Christians gain spiritual strength by overcoming spiritual and emotional stress. The intent is to overcome stress by the grace of God and praise Him for His enabling grace.
If you are going to follow Christ, submit to the self-discipline required to be obedient to Him. One of the fruits of the Spirit is “self control.” A synonym for self-control is discipline, the ability to discipline yourself to achieve a goal.
There are certain disciplines of our faith that we should be practicing – regular prayer, consistent reading/meditating on God’s Word, and time committed to be with others in the body of Christ, are some.
Examples of the disparity between one with and one without self-control are noted is Scripture.
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control” (Proverbs 25:28).
“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32).