I know a guy named Tom. He’s great. The type of helper at my church that a pastor dreams of. He is always willing to help if he’s available, never complains about hard work (even in a joking way), and always seeks to do more until an event is complete. He works his tail off and is a great person to have on your team. Tom is also 10+ years sober and learned a long time ago that part of sustained sobriety for him was staying active and busy, not staying idle for very long at a time.
Let’s talk about the benefits of intentionality when it comes to disciplining your body. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians to not run aimlessly or box as one beating the air (1 Cor 9:26). He tells us to be purposeful, intentional, and do everything for a reason.
Why is this important?
Because as my friend Tom learned a long time ago, staying idle leaves room for your sinful nature to take control.
Said another way, if you want to be the guy that goes to the gym each morning, . . . you have to be a guy that gets up and goes to the gym each morning!
**Disciplining your body doesn’t happen by accident; it only happens with INTENTION.**
Said another way, you must be INTENTIONAL in life if you want to grow spiritually.
Said another way, inertia won’t make you look more like Jesus.
How does this apply to lust & pornography? So glad you asked.
Two main ways.
First, a couple weeks ago we drew lines called behavior curves. Think about those first few triggers that start you up that slope.
If you’re intentional about where you go, what you do, how you spend your time, you can avoid most of those triggers. This will look like you thinking through your day/week ahead of time, thinking about your triggers, and being INTENTIONAL to avoid the triggers and progress toward your goals.
INTENTIONALITY will help develop new patterns to your thoughts, emotions, and ultimately your behavior.
Second, God designed us to work. Don’t be the guy that shows up to work at the last minute and puts in minimal effort to get the job done. Don’t run aimlessly or box at the air. No one likes that guy.
Rather, work with intention and purpose.
Setting yourself up for accomplishment and achievement sets something off in your brain.
It’s easier to feel proud.
It’s easier to feel strong.
It’s easier to avoid the things you should avoid and be the man you know you should be.
Thoughts to Pray/Journal:
- How are you like or unlike Tom? What might you need to change?
- What triggers can you work through or avoid all together with some intention? What does that intention need to look like?
- What do you need to do to not run aimlessly or box the air?
Reading: