Rather, I punish my body and bring it into submission, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
For if you live according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Ruach you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live.
Every competitor exercises self-control in all respects. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we do it to receive an imperishable one.
Therefore, put to death what is earthly in you—sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed—for that is idolatry.
Loved ones, I urge you as strangers and sojourners to keep away from the fleshly cravings that war against the soul.
For this reason, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I do not cause my brother to stumble.
“For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself?
Now flee from youthful desires; instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and shalom, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
They have abandoned the straight way. They have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
They are called ‘cast off silver’— for Adonai has cast them off.”
But to the wicked, God says: “What are you doing, reciting My laws and taking My covenant in your mouth?
to take the position in this office as emissary, from which Judah turned aside to go to his own place.”
yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice so she won’t wear me out by her incessant coming.’”
Their bulbs and their branches were one piece with it, an entire hammered work of pure gold.