How can you win in the unrelenting battle between your flesh and your spirit?

 

1) By first acknowledging that there is a battle! Your flesh will always crave satisfaction in the very things God hates. This age-old civil war rages on. Your flesh never takes a holiday.

 

2) By admitting that you are powerless to win without God's help! By consciously submitting to God you draw on His strength in the first moments of each test. And your ability to do that will grow as you keep practicing this spiritual discipline. The closer you draw to God, the stronger you become when faced with temptation.

 

3) By deciding that self-discipline is a personal matter! You can depend on no one else to develop it for you. Paul writes, 'I run...I box...I buffet my body...' (1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NAS). This is something only you can do. If someone else has to restrain you, it doesn't work!

 

4) By understanding that ignoring the consequences invites disaster! Lack of self-discipline will inevitably lead to embarrassment for you, and those you love. So before you indulge, consider the fallout!

 

In 1 Corinthians 9:27 Paul speaks about being '...disqualified.' What does that mean? It means losing respect in the eyes of others. It means limiting God's ability to use you for His purposes. It means hurting the cause of Christ in the eyes of a world that's always watching.

 

When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, Nathan the prophet said to him, ' "...by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt..." ' (2 Samuel 12:14 NIV).

 

Want to win the battle? Keep these things in mind!