9.3 Essay — You are Led by the Spirit
It has been my observation that Paul often talked about the nature of self-control. I found 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 to be an interesting expression of his view. He wondered if we were aware of the purpose of the human race – getting the prize. He knew that all serious competitors would enter a strict training plan to prepare for the race – the journey. He mused at the temporary honor they obtained for all their work and noted how much better our prize of everlasting life was for the journey.
Paul Said — Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Thus, the heart of his message in 1 Corinthians says – Paul was not interested in aimlessly running the race for mere trinkets at the end, he did not train to merely shadow box or run in place. Paul’s notions built upon the metaphor of running is the same as walking with God (Micah’s metaphor).
The personal training was to like most training, the training included forcefully causing the body to become a slave to our mind, not driven by urges and glances, rather to be managed by self-control. God created us in his image; therefore, our body is not evil in and of itself. But, make no mistake, our carnal pull is a strong center of weakness, it requires management to ensure our mind remains in control, not our hands, eyes, nose, or emotional urges. Why? Because impulses can be destructive to spiritual life. As a man thinks – a man is (Proverbs 23:6)
Galatians 5:13-26 says — You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious … those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other. (NIV)
We are to embrace a joyful heart, seek a peaceful disposition, develop forbearance in all circumstances, always treat other with kindness, find the goodness of God in all things.
This message in Galatians was completely in line with the Matthew 5 message from Jesus when he spoke about removing the eye if the eye causes sin or remove the hand if it causes sin. I do not think Jesus was recommending we actually poke our eye or remove a hand. But the message was clear, walk away from sin, it is deadly, it is dangerous, walk away. I think in the same way, Paul was telling us to bring our body into submission, develop the discipline needed to control our personal actions so we stay true to Jesus.
Imagine a runner, who is very skillful and successful in each race exhibiting a selflessness that leaves no trace of conceit. A good runner knows he is going to be standing at the pole, waiting to start, he gently responds to the respect from the younger runners, many more know of the senior runner than he realized.
During the race he is observed for technique, the younger emulate him. During the race he respects the other runners, he does not need to provoke the other runners hoping to involve a mistake that will give him the advantage. He simply runs his race, his way. He has no envy in his heart for the other runners.
Make no mistake, our carnal pull is a strong center of weakness, it requires management to ensure our mind remains in control, not our hands, eyes, nose, or emotional urges.
So then, we are not left without positive tools to help manage the body and our mind. Paul names the tools ‘the fruit of the Spirit’. We are to embrace a joyful heart, seek a peaceful disposition, develop forbearance in all circumstances, always treat other with kindness, find the goodness of God in all things.
Use faithfulness to cement our commitments, pursue an enduring attitude of gentleness, and in all these things cultivate self-control that overrides all our impulses. I choose Jesus.