Description
Discipline and Self-Control in Leadership – A Lesson from Paul
In this episode, we explore the importance of self-disci… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
We don’t like hypocrisy, do we? Least of all in our leaders. Paul has a message for everyone in a position of leadership. 1 Corinthians 9, verse 27. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified.
Paul often characterises the work that he has to do as a race. He’s running a race, and he’s doing it in order that he might achieve the prize. So he’s single minded, he’s very focused on this task that he needs to perform.
And he knows that in order to run his race with integrity, he has to discipline himself. If he were, as an athlete, to let go of all training and just consume all the wrong things, he would no longer be able to run and win his race.
He is disciplining his body, he’s keeping it under control, and that’s really very hard for us to do. But he’s doing it so that there won’t be an offence brought by him bringing the gospel, his own preaching, into disrepute. Saying one thing and doing something completely different.
And basically we all have some sphere of authority where we’re leading, where we’re showing an example to others. So we must all follow Paul’s example, disciplining our bodies and keeping them under control.
But that of course is so much easier said than done. And if we try to do this in our own strength we will fail. But God sent the Holy Spirit to grow his fruit in us. And part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is self control. So we have our part to play, we need to choose to do what God wants of us, but then we can rely on Him to help us in that pursuit.
Lord God I thank you for the Holy Spirit who you’ve placed in us in order for us to gain self control so that we can all run our races, so as to win the prize, and so as not to be disqualified. Heavenly Father, please help us as we seek to serve you. Amen.
