(Matthew 4: 1 – 11)
3. Physical discipline: this
is the discipline that has to do with the body. We are spiritual beings
but we live in a body. Our body is what makes life and living on earth
possible. Without our physical body, our spirit cannot function by
itself on earth. No matter how spiritual we are, we still need to have a
body in order to live in the world. The Bible says “What? 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? (1Cor.6:19 KJV). Our
physical body is the gateway to our spirit and our soul. That is why it
is so important. Through our physical body, we have access to God and
through it, we have access to the devil. It has been said that when the
purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable. Many things that
are of great value are being abused because the abuser does not know the
purpose. Cocaine and other pain killers are abused because the abusers
do not know the value. Majority of the people living in the world abuse
their body because they do not know its value. Why do I need physical
discipline?
Because our physical body is so important, it must be disciplined in
order to stay tuned to God and fulfill the purpose for which it has been
given to us. We need to discipline our body because it is the gateway
to our spirit and soul. We need to discipline our body so that we will
not miss our eternal reward and become castaways. Apostle Paul said “Know
ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the
prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the
mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as
uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 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”. (1 Cor. 9:24-27 KJV).
How do I exercise Physical discipline?
1. We must depend on God: We are created by God and He knows everything
about us. He alone can help us to discipline our body by His grace.
2. We must resist the devil by developing self-control. As we have said
before, we cannot stop satan from tempting us but we can resist him when
he comes The Bible says that when we resist the devil he will flee from
us.
3. Make right choices: We must cooperate with God in order to develop
physical discipline. We must not put ourselves in a vulnerable position
where it becomes easy for the enemy to take advantage of us. We must
stay with God.
4. Be sober and be vigilant: The Bible says in I Peter 5:8 “be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour”. We cannot afford to be slack in our walk with God but to stay alert.
5. Fasting and praying: We fast and pray to discipline our physical
body. As we starve our physical body of food through fasting, we
energize our spirit.