Basic Training
Today's Three-minute Bible Study
Print, Study and Apply
Title: Basic Training---------------------------------------- Date: 05/08/2000
Keywords:
"devotions" "discipline" "fellowship"
"prayer" "training"
Welcome
to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual
temptation.
Passage: 2 Timothy 2:3-7*
3. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs --
he wants to please his commanding officer.
5. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive
the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
6. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of
the crops.
7. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight
into all this.
Question
1. What examples from daily life does Paul use to make his point?
2. How can we apply those models to overcoming our struggles with
pornography?
Practical help
In M. Scott Peck's bestseller "The Road Less Traveled," he
opens with a line no Christian should criticize: "Life is difficult."
We need look no further than 2 Timothy 2:3-7 to find Scriptural
support for Peck's psychological premise. To get the point across, the apostle Paul draws
on examples of fortitude all of us can understand: soldier, athlete, farmer. In various
ways, all of these jobs require the ability to overcome difficulties to achieve goals.
Our battle to beat pornography requires no smaller sacrifice. Do we
mistakenly believe a struggle over our souls demands less of a commitment than earthly
endeavors? This is war. And it will cost blood, sweat and tears to win.
Like soldiers, athletes and farmers, we must train for victory. The
disciplines of the Christian life -- prayer, devotions, Bible study, fellowship -- help us
resist temptation. If you're weak in any of these elements, start doing them. In this
difficult life, you stand a far better chance of success when you go into basic training.
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*Scriptures are from The Holy Bible: New International Version © Copyright 1973,
1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.