Like a boxer!

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“But [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, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].” 1 Corinthians 9v27 (AMP)

It is interesting that Paul makes an analogy to boxing as opposed to other sports here. A professional boxer in the ring is usually subjected to a lot of possible and actual hardships to the body. If a blow is not blocked or deflected properly, the boxer gets hit – to the stomach, shoulder, and even the head. As believers, we bridle our tongues, we subdue our bodies through fasting, we do not listen to the impulses of our body when it wants to sin. If we do not take certain precautions like praying, putting on the whole armor of God, living a life of holiness, remaining under the shadow of the Most High, we can get hit by our adversary the devil. We view our bodies the way God sees it, as His temple (1 Corinthians 3v16). Romans 12v1-2 (AMP) says “I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the things which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”

Supplementary Text

“So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh [we are not obligated to our carnal nature], to live [a life ruled by the standards set up by the dictates] of the flesh. For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.” Romans 8v12-13 (AMP)

Prayer

Our heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, and Your Spirit. Holy Spirit we yield to You this day and mortify every deed and prompting of the flesh in Jesus name, amen.