by[27] “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” – 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV)
One time, I heard a friend strongly criticising a pastor when an issue came up against him. My friend said, “You cannot preach virtues and practice vices.” Am I in support of what my friend did? No! Am I in support of the scandal against the pastor? Absolutely not, because I don’t know the greatest details about it. While I don’t encourage anybody to speak against pastors, I believe God’s servants have a personal responsibility to do what they teach.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27 that he disciplines his body and brings it into subjection, lest, when he has preached to others, he’ll, in the end, get disqualified from the prize of fulfilling his mandate. That should be a lesson to every minister in Christ. You are tempted not to do what you preach to God’s congregation more than you think. If you preach against sexual immorality, should you commit it in secret? Absolutely not!
Do not forget that ministry is a spiritual atmosphere. What you do in secret will be exposed to the public; it’s only a matter of time. You shall reap what you sow (see Galatians 6:7). So, it is better to sow the right seed by living a holy life, both in secret and in public, rather than practising evil things in secret. May the Lord help you to discipline your body so you can obey God’s Word.
You are a blessing.
Prayer:
Father, help me to put the desires of my body under subjection so I can obey what Your Word says about me. In the name of Jesus. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2026 – 123
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