Be Disciplined But Don't Worship Discipline
Summarized Sermons from Zac Poonen
God breathed into us and gave us a conscience. Our bodies were bought with Christ’s blood, and now the Holy Spirit dwells in us.
We are called to discipline our bodily desires and heed our conscience, so that we might glorify God. But discipline doesn’t mean forgoing all material comfort and pleasure. Our bodies have healthy desires (1).
For example, Christ wasn’t against food. He was even called a glutton. But food couldn’t control Him. Yet, such desires were a snare to Eve (2).
As another example, sexual desire is good, but within limits. Without restraint, sexual desires through our eyes or hands are stronger than the devil. The devil, if resisted, will flee, but we must flee from sexual lust (3).
We must control our sexual desire indirectly by seeking fellowship with godly people, humbling ourselves, and being considerate of the needy (4).
Battling lust is a challenge. Our goodness must surpass the Pharisees’, who focused on the outside, such as fasting, tithing, and going to church. God sees our motives and what we do in private. Honor and fear Him (5).
Even Paul admitted to struggling with covetousness or inner lust, which leads to death. Paul conquered them through the Holy Spirit, which set him free to live by and follow the Spirit. We also must seek the Spirit’s power to control our lust, daily. It will get easier (6).
But don’t worship discipline. Don’t be ascetic. Holiness doesn’t come from discipline. Our flesh can’t be restrained by discipline. Christ appeared in the flesh but kept His Spirit pure (7).
Strike a balance. What God created is good; enjoy it with thanksgiving. But rely on the Holy Spirit to train the body hard, like controlling our tongues, to make it do what it should. And live life to the fullest (8).
Aside: On sickness. We will be sick and die because our body is cursed. Paul, tormented by some sickness, prayed three times for healing until God told him He wouldn’t (which kept Paul from becoming conceited), but that His grace was sufficient. When praying for healing, pray for honoring God, not for fame, wealth, or other indulgences. Also, our body is the Holy Spirit’s temple so God should heal it. If healing doesn’t come, ask God why. Leave it in His hands. His grace is sufficient for us (9).
Summary from two sermons from Zac Poonen
“Discipline your body”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6ZSqjtYxQQ
“Watch your inner life.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwifVZRrvBY
We are called to discipline our bodily desires and heed our conscience, so that we might glorify God. But discipline doesn’t mean forgoing all material comfort and pleasure. Our bodies have healthy desires (1).
For example, Christ wasn’t against food. He was even called a glutton. But food couldn’t control Him. Yet, such desires were a snare to Eve (2).
As another example, sexual desire is good, but within limits. Without restraint, sexual desires through our eyes or hands are stronger than the devil. The devil, if resisted, will flee, but we must flee from sexual lust (3).
We must control our sexual desire indirectly by seeking fellowship with godly people, humbling ourselves, and being considerate of the needy (4).
Battling lust is a challenge. Our goodness must surpass the Pharisees’, who focused on the outside, such as fasting, tithing, and going to church. God sees our motives and what we do in private. Honor and fear Him (5).
Even Paul admitted to struggling with covetousness or inner lust, which leads to death. Paul conquered them through the Holy Spirit, which set him free to live by and follow the Spirit. We also must seek the Spirit’s power to control our lust, daily. It will get easier (6).
But don’t worship discipline. Don’t be ascetic. Holiness doesn’t come from discipline. Our flesh can’t be restrained by discipline. Christ appeared in the flesh but kept His Spirit pure (7).
Strike a balance. What God created is good; enjoy it with thanksgiving. But rely on the Holy Spirit to train the body hard, like controlling our tongues, to make it do what it should. And live life to the fullest (8).
Aside: On sickness. We will be sick and die because our body is cursed. Paul, tormented by some sickness, prayed three times for healing until God told him He wouldn’t (which kept Paul from becoming conceited), but that His grace was sufficient. When praying for healing, pray for honoring God, not for fame, wealth, or other indulgences. Also, our body is the Holy Spirit’s temple so God should heal it. If healing doesn’t come, ask God why. Leave it in His hands. His grace is sufficient for us (9).
- 1Corinthians 6:19-20, Genesis 1:24, 2:7
- Luke 7:34, Genesis 3:6
- Genesis 1:28, 31; 1Corinthians 6:18, 7:5; Matthew 5:27-30; James 4:7; 2Timothy 2:22
- 2Timothy 2:22, Ezekial 16:48-49
- 1Samuel 16:7; 1Corinthians 4:5; Matthew 5:20, 23:25; Luke 18:9-12; Proverbs 9:10
- Romans 7:7-11, 7:14, 8:2-4
- Colossians 2:20-23, 1Timothy 3:16
- 1Timothy 3:16-4:5, 1Corinthians 9:24-27, James 1:26, Romans 6:14
- 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; 1 Corinthians 6:13, 19
Summary from two sermons from Zac Poonen
“Discipline your body”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6ZSqjtYxQQ
“Watch your inner life.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwifVZRrvBY