How does it happen? And why does it seem to happen so often? A successful evangelist or pastor, one who knows better, one who should be steeped in the knowledge of right and wrong, fails miserably. There are too many names to list. The question is how does it happen.
In Paul’s first letter to the believers in Corinth, he tell them,
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.”
But what is the context of this powerful verse?
Paul is addressing the issue of eating food sacrificed to idols, but his critique is aimed at the mature believers who are leaving the less mature believers behind, compelling Paul to write, “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” Instead of living according to the speed of one’s own conscience, Paul defers to the maturity of those around him, often, the person whose conscience is the most sensitive to sin. To this end, Paul wrote, “I become all things to all people so that I may by all means save some, “ which points back to Paul’s concession that he would gladly become a vegetarian if eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols could cause one with a weaker conscience to stumble.
Three times in this section of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Paul mentions his ultimate motive: to speak the gospel for the salvation of others. He refuses his apostolic privileges “so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ”. He speaks of his ultimate reward in this life as being “to preach the gospel and offer it free of charge”. Finally, he claims as his life’s ambition to make himself a “slave of all in order to gain more people”.
What a powerful ambition! It shaped his life, his thoughts, his daily activities, and his interaction with everyone he encountered . . . until it got him killed!
Following these declarations all within the context of whether the people should engage in eating food that had been sacrificed to idols, it seems that Paul transitions from the things in front of his gaze, and he takes a quick look in the rear view mirror. He turns from his pursuits to the things that are pursuing him . . .
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul introduces some sports metaphors into the text of his letter. The Corinthians were no strangers to athletic competition. On the years before and after the Olypiad, the city of Corinth hosted the Isthmian Games, also known as the Corinthian Games. It was a lesser-known competition, but it hosted many of the same events: running, boxing, and an all-out, no rules wrestling competition. So when Paul speaks of doing the work of an evangelist in the same way a runner would run his race, the Corinthians got it. When he spoke of a perishable crown, the Corinthians could picture the pine wreath given to the victors, and they could imagine how the beautiful green wreath quickly turned brown.
So Paul tells his friends that his intent is to run with a destination in mind, to run with purpose, to run to win. He also speaks of being like a boxer, whose aim is sure and who is purposeful in his effort. Evangelism was not something he happened to do when the moment presented itself. For Paul, it was the thing he aspired to do.
So what could derail that kind of ambition?
Paul knew himself. Paul knew what his carnal flesh, his “wretched” body, craved. Paul knew that no man could stand up to the wisdom imparted to him through the testimony of the Holy Spirit, but he knew that one unkind word could thwart every Spirit-breathed doctrine. He knew that one moment of sexual weakness could disqualify him from being an effective witness for His Savior. He knew that one careless meal could jeopardize his standing with those clawing their way out of a pagan lifestyle. So what does Paul do?
“Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
The Greek in this phrase illuminates the text much more than the weak English translation, so look at the words carefully. Paul starts by telling the Corinthians that he “disciplines his body”. The Greek phrase is “hupopiazo soma” which is literally translated “under the eye” and “body”. Paul is using a euphemism for the brutal fact that he gives himself a “black eye” in an effort to restrain his physiological body—sexuality, appetite, speech, etc. When immoral sexuality raises its evil head, Paul punches it right in the eye! When gluttony comes calling, BAM! Right in the stomach! The phrase is brutal, but that should tell you the intensity of Paul’s ambitions—like that of a dedicated athlete.
The second action of this verse is Paul’s aspiration to bring his body under strict control. The Greek is “doulagogeo” which means “to enslave”. Paul’s aspirations are to punch his carnal flesh right in the eye and to wrap it in chains so as to enable him to speak the gospel to a lost and dying world without fear of moral failure . . . a failure that would lead to a disqualification.
Does that sound like “sin management”?
Is that a 12-step program to understand why you eat too much?
No! Paul is not interested in controlling his flesh. If possible, Paul would have ripped it out. But while our carnal flesh, our sin-craving bodies, can lead us into the most tragic failures, it can also be used to convey profound moments of worship. You see, you choose whether to punch it in the eye. You choose whether to make it your slave. You are not victims of an uncontrollable force, you are the victim of uninspired duty . . . the failure of your flesh is the failure of your spirit’s desire to worship its Savior.
After a series of examples from the time of Israel’s wandering of their spirit’s failures, Paul encourages the Corinthians with our initial passage . . .
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.”
So, as Paul looks in his rear view mirror to defend himself from the schemes of the Devil, he finds a God who has seen it all before. Paul finds a God whose faithful nature should give profound comfort to the weary soldier in the battle with the flesh. And then he finds it . . . the way of escape!
What do you do when your faithful God gives you an escape from the destructive desire of your self-centered body? Is this a moment to test your resolve? Is this a moment to fully understand why you are so drawn to this disobedience? Is this a moment to pray for endurance? NO! It is time to punch that desire in the eye (if you have time) and FLEE! RUN! TAKE OFF! ADIOS! GOTTA GO!
What does that involve? I would argue that about 90% of fleeing requires two things . . . a right foot and a left foot. Making use of those appendages is your most effective means of remaining viable in the fight. Also, cleverly design by the omnipotent, omniscient hand of God, the human hand has two powerful weapons to facilitate a virtual fleeing from sin . . . a thumb to change channels and an index finger to click a mouse. Another clever design of God that can silence the foolishness of our words and block the gluttony of our appetite are two flaps of flesh just below our nose . . . the lips were created in such a way as to prevent words from escaping and prevent food from entering.
While these examples seem humorous, I could not be most serious. Consider the irreparable harm Joseph would have inflicted if he had not fled from the temptation of Potiphar’s wife. Your very capacity to effectively speak the name of Christ rests in your ability, and your underlying desire, to escape the schemes of the Enemy.
Honor the faithful God who has restrained the temptation to what you can bear and escape! Do not use the moment to flirt with catastrophe. I believe this is why so many religious leaders are destroyed . . . they think God’s faithfulness is providing them a safe place IN the presence of sin, and not a safe way OUT of sin.
See the greatness of your faithful God in that verse of Scripture.
Finish the race well!
Fight for your imperishable crown!
Then some day, lay that crown at the feet of your Crucified Savior . . . that is a worthy ambition!
