Day 116
I Corinthians 9:27 Amplified Version
"But I [like a boxer] I buffet my body -- handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships --- and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit -- not stand the test and be unappproved -- and rejected as a counterfeit]."
Our bodies will not experience full redemption until Jesus calls us to Heaven. When, in the twinkling of an eye, we exchange corruption for incorruption and mortality for immortality, we will collect the balance of what is due us in the redemption of our bodies. Meanwhile, our bodies remain earthly. We are responsible for managing them properly.
As long as our bodies are in this world, we are subject to sickness and disease. To live in health, we must follow natural laws and take advantage of the spiritual laws given us, to make up for what natural laws cannot do.
Another part of being in the world is being subject to the lust of the flesh. Our bodies have feelings, and those feelings can lead us into temptation. Therefore, we must discipline ourselves to endure temptation and live above sin. Paul talked about disciplining and subduing his body, so he would not become unfit himself, after helping others to overcome. We must do the same, if we want to guarantee success. It is very important that we have a habit of roughing up our bodies and making them subject to our spirits.
Through fasting, we can teach our bodies that our bellies are not our gods. The lust for food has hindered people from obeying God. Like Jesus, we need to be able to miss a meal and say, "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me."
Through exercise, which helps us maintain good health, we can teach our bodies to follow our commands. As our bodies learn to follow instructions, we will be able to obey the Holy Spirit and get up when we feel like sleeping. Our bodies will understand that they may not participate in sin, no matter how appealing it may be.
By strengthening our spirits, we stand a better chance of remaining healthy physically. We are also more likely to stay out of trouble. Our goal should always be to nourish our spirits more than our bodies. Spiritual domination will help eliminate fleshly failures. So, let us send a clear message today. May our bodies hear us say, "You will not eat more than you should. You will eat what I permit you to. You will exercise until I say it is enough. You will read, meditate and pray at my command and not at your convenience. You will obey me." ("I" and "me" represent the spirit inside, which God intends to dominate us, as He leads.)
I will discipline my body to assist my spirit. My body will not dominate me. I will fast, pray, and exercise, and do whatever the Holy Spirit leads, to establish the proper order of command: spirit, soul, then body.