1 Corinthians 9-19.27

Body needs?

"I beat my body and make it my slave so that ... I myself will not be disqualified ..." (v.27)

An area of life in which we need self-control is that which has to do with bodily indulgence. The body, by its human standards, is comfort-loving and too much comfort is weakening to the soul.

"Whatever increases the strength and influence of your body over your mind, however innocent it may be in itself -- that thing is sin to you."

Before each one of us is an altar of sacrifice.

Philippians 2:17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

There is some crucifixion of the flesh, some physical self-sacrifice, the abandonment of some bodily indulgence which the spirit of man knows that he is called to make.

"What does our bodies clamor for? One is food -- and generally speaking, we eat far more than is good for us.

Luke 12:23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

Another thing the body clamors for is sleep. People differ in the amount of sleep that they need, but we must watch that we do not spend more time in bed than is good for us.

Luke 12:35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,

How about the luxuries of life. It has been said that the luxuries of one generation become the bare necessities of the next.

Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

We must not go too far and see the body as an enemy that has to be continuously afflicted. Self-control helps the Christian to offer to God an obedient personality, but sensitive to guidance and ready for all His perfect will.

Romans 6:13
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

Romans 8:10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.

TGIF