"A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." Proverbs 25:28
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13
As we enter the cooler weather, the earlier sun falls, and the holiday season, we may find ourselves going into hibernation mode. The comfort of our homes may want us to stay and nuzzle up to a fire… but this isn't a Hallmark movie. The Kingdom is at war. You are Kingdom Men. You were created you for victory.
We just came out of a Wrestling series, which left us shaking hands and commending each other on the battles we put up. The questioning, rebuttals, and clinching have us slightly drained. It may feel like an opportune time to prepare for the holiday season, kicking it off with Thanksgiving week. It is a time to gather with loved ones and thank God for the time we have together, as we enjoy extravagant meals and football on TV. This state of relaxation may become the slippery slope of letting our bodies go with maximum eating and minimum exercising. Clothes stop fitting, and sweatpants become the norm. As Kingdom Men, we hold ourselves to a standard of not letting ourselves go, physically, mentally, or spiritually. Referencing the past DBO on "Wrestling with Health Decisions as a Kingdom Man" from the Wrestling series, there were tough questions about how "free will" and the freedom to make your own health decisions. We realize that although the Lord gives us the free will to care for our bodies, we have due diligence to take care of this "temple" given to us, less we put it in a position to be destroyed.
As Kingdom Men, we understand that enemy does not take PTO during Thanksgiving week or other holidays. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8-9. Where does this understanding intersect with our FIT series? Allowing our bodies to slip away from us under the guise of, "it's just for this week/this season" is precisely what an enemy would want us to feel comfortable saying. It's not the innocence of just having something enjoyable; it's our prone to failure as humans with keeping our temple intact. Our health not only affects the physical body we see but our mental health as well. We don't want these problems to lead to poisoning our spiritual health either. The enemy will want to play the long game during this season to destroy the temple where the Holy Spirit resides inside of us. We won't let this happen.
Daily Battle Order:
Kingdom Men, enjoy time with your family this Thanksgiving. Sit and watch football with those who love watching the pigskin fly; this is your duty. Just remember that there will be an abundance of cookies, pies, gravy, relaxing, napping, beer, wine, and football—practice self-control. Exercise. Get out and walk. Stay on your regimen. If you are physically unable to do what you used to, make an adapted plan. Make an effort. We will be encouraging you of these things this week.
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