1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
Scripture Testimony Index stories for this passage
D. E. Hoste gave up the habit of smoking, a habit that threatened to stand between him and the Lord after his conversion.
In obedience to the heavenly vision and call to go to China, Hudson Taylor, like a workman not wanting to be put to shame, devoted himself to careful study of Chinese, Greek, Latin, theology and medicine. He also made changes in his habits to discipline his flesh. All these things he did to prepare himself for his life’s work.
New converts described how accepting Christ into their lives led to a change in lifestyle; some stop smoking, others stopped cockfights, and others stopped gambling. The change in their lives was clear that it led others to Christ.