Here are some thoughts from my devotional reading:

I need to decide that self-discipline is a personal matter.  You can depend on no-one else to develop it for you.

1 Cor 9:26-27

Therefore, I run thus, not with uncertainty, thus I fight, not as one who beats the air, but I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others I myself should become disqualified.

This is something only I can do.  If someone else has to restrain me, it doesn’t work.  I need to understand that ignoring the consequences invites disaster.  Lack of self-discipline will inevitably lead to embarrassment for you, for those you love.  So before I indulge consider the fall out.

Paul speaks of being ‘disqualified’.  What does this mean?  To lose respect in the eyes of others and to limit God’s ability to use you for His purposes.

Challenge to myself –

·        Only I can develop self control

·        My lack of self control / self discipline is INDULGENCE

·        Indulgence has consequences