Practice what you preach

Scripture

1 Corinthians 9: 27 “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified”.

 

Observation

Paul realised that practicing what he preached was the work he needed to do in the gym! To be a disciplined athlete, the race run is only a reflection of all of the effort put in during those long lonely training hours. The race isn’t won on personality or charisma but is won on the level of disciplined training behind the scenes. Paul knew that his preaching was the result of knowing the Word but it produced the greatest results through the self application of the message – and that was where the real message lay.

 

Application

It’s so easy to give advice to someone else. But it’s not always so easy to apply advice that has been received! Especially if it contains elements of change to my personal habits or lifestyle. Yet as I declare the plans God has for our lives publicly it needs to become my personal script for how I live out my life personally. I need to ensure I don’t disqualify myself by living hypocritically. Shortcuts in my training will be discovered when I run out onto the field and the entire crowd will see my level of fitness.

 

Prayer

So often disqualified! Lord I so often fail in my level of disciplined training. I re-enter basic training today and submit again to my Holy Spirit led coaching team and strive to be one who always practices what I preach.

 

Jim Jung