1 Corinthians 9:27 ... But I keep under my body, and bring it into
subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I
myself should be a castaway.
Exhortation: (Joan Boney)
The above words were spoken by the apostle Paul. To us it would seem almost impossible for Paul to be a castaway. But Paul recognized a danger.
Our body, flesh, goes in a way opposite to the way of God. Most people today go in a way opposite to God. Jesus even said "few" would find the way of life for that way is "narrow" and it might seem to cost too much, so many go in the way of destruction. Mt.13:14 ...Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
I Cor. 10:13 ... There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Certainly we are tempted in various ways ... Each of us differ in our weaknesses. But each of us have certainly weaknesses of the flesh.
The answer in overcoming the flesh is always the same. Depending on God for HIS power against our flesh. When we recognize something that is not good, we turn to God in prayer asking Him to help us. Then we go (after prayer) in the way God shows us, giving up those things shown us by God.
Gal. 5 ... Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (arguing, debating), emulations (trying to win out over other people), wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
For some, sexual temptations are the problem. Avoid places where this temptation can be fed. Avoid movies, TV, books which set you on fire. In the Bible, we have the example where Pontifer's wife tried to seduce Joseph. He fled. And it is important to understand that at the time of sexual intercourse the two become one flesh. It is not a simple matter of a sin. Paul says it is a sin that is different from all other sins.
I Cor. 6 ... Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
For others, trying to achieve above others is the problem. The way of God is opposite to the way of the flesh in winning out over other people. Paul said: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, Phil. 2 So we just change direction and purpose to do nothing whereby we achieve. Sounds strange to us doesn't it? But it works. Paul reminds us that we are not here to serve ourselves but to serve God. We have been redeemed so that we might serve God instead of exalting ourselves. Some think they can exalt themselves and give glory to God but they are deceived. They glorify themselves when they exalt themselves with various achievements of man.
Hatred is another fleshly problem. But for us who are of God, do we really want that person who offended us to go to hell?
For some, envy is the problem. The antidote is the way of God ... recognizing that, like Jesus, our kingdom is not of this present world. Setting our goal to do what Paul said: Having food and raiment let us therewith be content. I Tim 6 (Please read: My kingdom is not of this world.)
Romans 13 ... Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ (the Word of God in the issue at hand), and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.