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

Normal healthy appetites were inbuilt in us by our Creator. Any normal human could feel the appetite to have sex with the opposite sex, especially those ones you believe that you are attracted to. You would also have an appetite towards good, well cooked, and well laid out food ñ definitely! You could have an appetite towards cruising in a brand new leather-upholstered, alloy-wheeled, air-conditioned jeep, or towards a new tastefully furnished house, or having an exotic vacation. However, should you be driven by those appetites? Appetites may be natural but they are wrong when they control a supernatural person such as you and they end up dictating all you do.

You need to know that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Paul said, “I discipline my body.” Why does he differentiate between “I” and “my body”? He identified “I” as the real self; “my body” is a separate entity. He knew that man is a spirit, who has a soul and who lives in a body. He is saying that he ñ his spirit is the one who keeps the body under subjection. Your body should be your slave and not vice versa. How do we keep the body under and bring it into subjection? Romans 12:2 tell us that it is by the renewing of our minds.

You must be disciplined, to be able to put your body under control. You discipline yourself by the renewal or the metamorphosis of your mind. That is the solution. Then, when certain appetites stare you in the face, you’ll boldly stare back at them and you’ll command them to line up with who the Word says you are. Just like Jesus, you will say, “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4,7,10).

Confession:
Lord, I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind. My mind aligns itself with the truths of Your Word. Then I am strengthened to put my body under. In a world of chaos, I can be a living example of a true believer in Christ Jesus. Amen.