5 Day Devo: Week 2 - Cost of Control
Day 1: Beyond Trying—Embracing Training
Reading: 1 Timothy 4:7-10
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
Devotional: Paul's instruction to Timothy reveals a profound truth: godliness isn't achieved through occasional effort but through intentional training. The Greek word "gymnazo" suggests the rigorous discipline of an athlete preparing for competition. Just as physical training transforms the body through repeated exercise, spiritual training reshapes our character through consistent obedience. When we face temptation to lose our temper, speak harshly, or indulge destructive habits, we're presented with training opportunities. Each "no" to our darker impulses builds spiritual muscle memory. This holiday season, when self-control is most challenging, remember that God promises benefits both now and eternally for those who train themselves in godliness. What specific area of your life needs training rather than just trying today?
Day 2: Disciplining the Body, Strengthening the Soul
Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Devotional: Paul wasn't shadowboxing—he was engaged in real spiritual combat. His metaphor of striking his body under the eye reveals the intensity required for self-mastery. The connection between physical and spiritual discipline is undeniable. When we master our tongues, refusing to let "kakos" (filthy, disgusting words) escape our lips, we're training more than speech patterns—we're strengthening our will. The sin dwelling in our flesh constantly seeks expression, but through Christ's power and our determined discipline, we can subdue it. This isn't about earning salvation; it's about living out the transformation Christ has begun in us. Consider: what physical discipline might help strengthen your spiritual resolve? Perhaps controlling your words, managing your anger, or resisting an addiction? Today, give your flesh a metaphorical black eye by saying "no" to one destructive impulse.
Day 3: Preparing for the Long Haul
Reading: Hebrews 12:1-13
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Devotional: Life's trials aren't always brief storms—sometimes they're long seasons requiring endurance. The writer of Hebrews understood that discipline, while painful in the moment, produces "a peaceful harvest of right living" for those trained by it. Whether facing unemployment, caring for a chronically ill child, or enduring relational struggles, perseverance becomes essential. We build this endurance the same way athletes do: by gradually increasing the load we can bear. Each small victory over impatience, each moment we choose peace over anger, each time we resist bitterness—these build our capacity for the marathon ahead. Theodore Roosevelt carried a bullet in his chest for the rest of his life, treating it as casually as his pants pocket. What burden are you carrying? With Christ's strength, you can develop the endurance to carry it faithfully. Take a new grip with your tired hands today.
Day 4: Guarding Against Bitterness
Reading: Psalm 37:1-11
Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land. Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone. The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity.
Devotional: "Stop being angry. Turn from your rage. Do not lose your temper. It only leads to harm." These aren't suggestions for the faint-hearted—they're lifelines for those drowning in justified anger. When people hurt us, offend us, or treat us unjustly, bitterness takes root almost imperceptibly. Left unchecked, this poisonous root spreads, corrupting everything it touches. The psalm reminds us that the wrath of man doesn't accomplish God's righteousness. That explosive conversation won't produce the outcome you desire. The cutting words won't heal the relationship. Instead, commit everything to the Lord, trust Him, and be still. In the long run, those with self-control—not those who bully their way through life—will possess the land. Is there a root of bitterness growing in your heart? Name it today. Confess it. Ask God to remove it before it destroys your peace.
Day 5: Muscular Christianity Rooted in Relationship
Reading: John 15:1-11
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Devotional: Theodore Roosevelt championed "muscular Christianity"—faith that's strong, active, and engaged. But here's the crucial truth: all the discipline, training, and effort mean nothing without abiding in Christ. You can push yourself to emotional limits, exercise tremendous willpower, and build impressive self-control, but apart from intimate relationship with Jesus, it's all shadowboxing. The vine and branches imagery is clear—separated from Christ, we can do nothing of eternal value. Before you take another step in your spiritual training regimen, run to the Lord. Spend time with Him. Pray. Read His Word. Let His love fuel your discipline rather than trying to manufacture transformation through sheer willpower. This communion table represents His broken body and shed blood—the ultimate demonstration that relationship with God precedes and empowers everything else. Are you trying to build spiritual muscle while neglecting the power source? Reconnect today. Abide in Him.
Reading: 1 Timothy 4:7-10
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
Devotional: Paul's instruction to Timothy reveals a profound truth: godliness isn't achieved through occasional effort but through intentional training. The Greek word "gymnazo" suggests the rigorous discipline of an athlete preparing for competition. Just as physical training transforms the body through repeated exercise, spiritual training reshapes our character through consistent obedience. When we face temptation to lose our temper, speak harshly, or indulge destructive habits, we're presented with training opportunities. Each "no" to our darker impulses builds spiritual muscle memory. This holiday season, when self-control is most challenging, remember that God promises benefits both now and eternally for those who train themselves in godliness. What specific area of your life needs training rather than just trying today?
Day 2: Disciplining the Body, Strengthening the Soul
Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Devotional: Paul wasn't shadowboxing—he was engaged in real spiritual combat. His metaphor of striking his body under the eye reveals the intensity required for self-mastery. The connection between physical and spiritual discipline is undeniable. When we master our tongues, refusing to let "kakos" (filthy, disgusting words) escape our lips, we're training more than speech patterns—we're strengthening our will. The sin dwelling in our flesh constantly seeks expression, but through Christ's power and our determined discipline, we can subdue it. This isn't about earning salvation; it's about living out the transformation Christ has begun in us. Consider: what physical discipline might help strengthen your spiritual resolve? Perhaps controlling your words, managing your anger, or resisting an addiction? Today, give your flesh a metaphorical black eye by saying "no" to one destructive impulse.
Day 3: Preparing for the Long Haul
Reading: Hebrews 12:1-13
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Devotional: Life's trials aren't always brief storms—sometimes they're long seasons requiring endurance. The writer of Hebrews understood that discipline, while painful in the moment, produces "a peaceful harvest of right living" for those trained by it. Whether facing unemployment, caring for a chronically ill child, or enduring relational struggles, perseverance becomes essential. We build this endurance the same way athletes do: by gradually increasing the load we can bear. Each small victory over impatience, each moment we choose peace over anger, each time we resist bitterness—these build our capacity for the marathon ahead. Theodore Roosevelt carried a bullet in his chest for the rest of his life, treating it as casually as his pants pocket. What burden are you carrying? With Christ's strength, you can develop the endurance to carry it faithfully. Take a new grip with your tired hands today.
Day 4: Guarding Against Bitterness
Reading: Psalm 37:1-11
Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land. Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone. The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity.
Devotional: "Stop being angry. Turn from your rage. Do not lose your temper. It only leads to harm." These aren't suggestions for the faint-hearted—they're lifelines for those drowning in justified anger. When people hurt us, offend us, or treat us unjustly, bitterness takes root almost imperceptibly. Left unchecked, this poisonous root spreads, corrupting everything it touches. The psalm reminds us that the wrath of man doesn't accomplish God's righteousness. That explosive conversation won't produce the outcome you desire. The cutting words won't heal the relationship. Instead, commit everything to the Lord, trust Him, and be still. In the long run, those with self-control—not those who bully their way through life—will possess the land. Is there a root of bitterness growing in your heart? Name it today. Confess it. Ask God to remove it before it destroys your peace.
Day 5: Muscular Christianity Rooted in Relationship
Reading: John 15:1-11
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Devotional: Theodore Roosevelt championed "muscular Christianity"—faith that's strong, active, and engaged. But here's the crucial truth: all the discipline, training, and effort mean nothing without abiding in Christ. You can push yourself to emotional limits, exercise tremendous willpower, and build impressive self-control, but apart from intimate relationship with Jesus, it's all shadowboxing. The vine and branches imagery is clear—separated from Christ, we can do nothing of eternal value. Before you take another step in your spiritual training regimen, run to the Lord. Spend time with Him. Pray. Read His Word. Let His love fuel your discipline rather than trying to manufacture transformation through sheer willpower. This communion table represents His broken body and shed blood—the ultimate demonstration that relationship with God precedes and empowers everything else. Are you trying to build spiritual muscle while neglecting the power source? Reconnect today. Abide in Him.
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