Tighten The Reins

    “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself shall be a castaway” (1 Cor. 9:27).

    Self-indulgence is the besetting sin of the times, but if you long to be a strong Christian you must count the cost and renounce the things of the flesh.  It will cost you the pulling up of some old favorite sins by the roots and cutting loose from some entangling alliances.  It will cost some sharp conflicts with the tempter.  It will cost you the submitting of your will to the will of Christ.  But you will gain more than you ever gave up. –Theodore L. Cuyler.

    Fasting and prayer are means of grace to the end of putting off self and putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.  If we are able to fast but do not, it is evidence that we are indulging the flesh.