Name Tags: You are… Self-Disciplined & Controlled

For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)

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.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)

Every day of our lives, from birth to death, in a journey of values and focus... come 2 destiny-defining choices:

  1. Do we think about and indulge ourselves?

  2. Do we think of God and control ourselves? 

Ideally, saints move in this direction:

  • S…E…L…F

  • S..E…L…f

  • S…E…lf

  • S…elf

  • self

While our juvenile self-absorption shrinks, our maturity in Christ increases!

  • John the Baptist said: ‘He [Christ] must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less’ (John 3:30)

  • Paul said: ‘I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily’ (1 Corinthians 15:31).

But at the same time…

The world preaches and pumps SELF-indulgence… in a 24/7 ad campaign– on the channels of modern media.

Rising above it…

Jesus preaches and provides self-control, available daily– on His Channel: a Holy Spirit gift of pure power. If we read His Word and stay in prayer, subtle cons and dangerous temptations are revealed and overcome in His strength.

But…

If so, why do we/I still fall victim to occasional unhealthy desires, like overeating or impulse shopping? Like bad relationships or anger fits?

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Consider…

High achievers in all of Earth’s fields know… self-discipline requires DAILY PRACTICE! It's a commitment rising stars MUST make, as it lifts them above competitors with equal talent, but less self-control.

Do the best of them (us) sometimes mess up? Yes! No one on Earth is perfect (except Christ), and He always helps us get back on track:) Obviously, we’ll never match His mark, but if we keep Him in mind, we’ll improve!

Therefore, run your race like star performers! When you lose self-control and/or stumble (no matter how many times it happens), keep repenting and return to your track.

Name Tags: You Are… Self-Disciplined & Controlled (Part 83)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban