“Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
As I woke this morning the sun greeted me warmly as I proceeded on my ritualistic trip to the coffee maker. The air is crisp, the breeze is pleasant. So is life in a tropical region of Mexico. And as I waited for the caffeine to brew, the sounds of my neighborhood wafted through the open windows. And among those many sounds were my 3 year old neighbor Pablo and his favorite word. A word that I do not need a spanish/english dictionary or my spanish teacher to help me in translating. The word? No. Pablo tells his parents no about 357 times an hour. And just to reinforce that this is not a singular Mexican or international trend among toddlers, the other day I was talking to a friend in the US and was informed that their 3 year old's favorite word was also no. Oh, how directly from the womb we love to tell the world around us no.
In chapter 9 of 1 Corinthians the apostle Paul continues to wax on to his brothers and sisters at the church in the city of Corinth. The city of Corinth was known as the biblical Las Vegas in its Biblical heyday. Its debauchery and rowdiness derived from the citizen’s reckless pursuit of pleasure exuded the city walls and became synonymous with its name. Even to the point of seeing the Greek word “Korinthiazomai” created which meant to “live like a Corinthian.” That is, for anyone in the Roman kingdom that led a life of partying, drunkenness, and loose sexual morals, they were automatically compared to a Corinthian. This reputation was so well known that when a Corinthian was portrayed in a Greek play, he was always portrayed as drunk. Yes, the Corinthian way of life was a way of life that directly contradicted with the way of life in which God intended for His people. Thus the confusion in the church of God at Corinth and the need for Paul to instrcut them.
But as we talk of the ease in which we use our no’s to those around us, whom would you say is the hardest person to give a no to? Well, because we are short on time and space, I’ll just cut to the chase. (that last sentence rhymes) The hardest no to ever part our lips is the no we must issue to ourselves.
Another interesting fact about Corinth is that, just like Las Vegas, it was a major hub for sporting events. In fact, it was home to the Isthmian Games that was second in prestige only to the Olympian Games. And either Paul was a big sports fan or it was just an easy analogy to draw, but Paul used at least twelve different sports references in his 13 New Testament letters, including examples of runners, boxers, gladiators, chariot racers, and trophies. And here in our study verse this morning we see Paul use one of his most vivid sporting examples.
“…I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave…” 1 Corinthians 9b
The word “strike” Paul uses here means in Greek “to hit in the eye resulting in a black eye.” Paul is literally saying that he denies his sinful flesh in such a harsh and violent way as to deal a devastating blow to it. Folks, Paul knew how to issue the hardest no…the no to self.
So as we, followers of Jesus Christ, walk in this sin-polluted world that beckons us to forever become part of its activities, how do we effectively give our sinful desires a good ol’ black eye? Instead of first telling others no, how do we instead turn that no inward and issue the hard no to ourselves? And when you’re talking about the hardest no, you really need to focus on where to direct it. You see, part of the issuing the hardest no is even seeing it’s needed. For we all have a tendency to easily spot the sins and flaws in others as we are blind to the works of our own hands. (Matthew 7:3-5)
The key is to understand the full gamut of sin. Most people only see sin as sexual immorality, lying, and stealing. Sure those are sins that are easy to spot but what about the sin that sits deeper inside and is not quite as easily identified? For example, what about simply getting angry at someone to the point of feeling hatred towards them? Did you know that’s a sin? (Matthew 5:22) What about using that hatred to slander someone on Facebook, did you know that’s also a sin? (James 4:11) Or what about hateful negative comments about your nation’s leaders? Do you think God has allowed them to be there by accident and that you know better than God? Yep, just another sin. (Romans 13:17) Ultimately, regardless of the sin that your heart levitates to, there is an answer. And the answer is simply, no. The hardest no…no to self.
Today I pray that as you walk this world you walk it saturated in the Word of God, knowing what is of the Lord and what is of the world. For you see, the two are like oil and water and never the twain shall meet. As you observe the behaviors of others, you are called to weigh those actions with the Word of God and then either replicate them or instead do what the Word of God commands you. And in doing so you will many times need to deny what you want, give yourself a nasty ol’ black eye, and instead do what the Spirit commands, not what the flesh desires.
Blessings upon you as you fight the greatest fight…the fight against self. ~ Dan
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Those who want to follow me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 GWT
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