“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” – 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT)

Running has been part of my life for six years now. When I started dating my wife, her dedication to running inspired me to take it more seriously. Later, as my dad faced a terminal illness, running became a way to process emotions and connect with God. It’s been a tremendous benefit to my physical and mental health as well as my recovery.

Every time I run, I hear two voices in my mind. One says, ‘Why are you doing this?’ It makes excuses: ‘You’re tired,’ ‘You’ve done enough.’ The other voice says, ‘Keep going,’ ‘One more step.’ A statement I sometimes use on a long run is; ‘my body will do what I tell it to do!’

This battle mirrors the spiritual conflict we all face daily between the voice of the flesh and the Spirit.

The voice of the flesh thrives on comfort and avoidance of effort. It whispers lies: ‘You’ve done enough,’ ‘This is too hard.’ In life, the flesh tempts us with selfishness, discouragement, or the easy way out. Paul described this struggle in Romans 7:18-19: ‘And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.’ (NLT)

The flesh tempts us to give up or indulge in what feels good in the moment. But just as running builds endurance, resisting the flesh strengthens our faith and reliance on God.

The Spirit speaks with truth and encouragement. It says, ‘You can do this,’ ‘Keep going,’ ‘Lean on God’s strength.’ Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9: ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ (NLT)

I once heard, ‘Whatever you feed grows, and whatever you starve dies.’ Feeding the Spirit through prayer, scripture, and obedience strengthens its voice. Starving the flesh by denying its power weakens its influence. The more we rely on the Spirit, the louder and clearer it becomes, guiding us through life’s challenges.

Whether we’re struggling with work, relationships, or personal battles, the Spirit equips us to endure. Philippians 4:13 reminds us: ‘For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.’ (NLT)

If you want to go run a marathon, achieve success in recovery, or grow a stronger deeper relationship with God; it won’t happen by accident. All require preparation, work, and discipline. Paul compares the Christian life to an athlete in training: ‘All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.’ (1 Corinthians 9:25, NLT)

To run this race well—whether physical, spiritual, or emotional—we need a plan:

1. Daily Discipline: Consistent habits like prayer and scripture reading build spiritual strength.
2. Community: Surround yourself with others who encourage and hold you accountable.
3. Fix Your Eyes on the Goal: Life’s challenges require focus on Jesus. ‘We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.’ (Hebrews 12:2, NLT)

The finish line of a race holds its own reward—a personal best or the satisfaction of finishing strong. But the reward for staying faithful to God is so much greater. It’s the peace of living in freedom, honoring God with our choices, and moving closer to His promises.

When the flesh tells you to quit, remember Isaiah 40:31: ‘But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.’ (NLT)

Whether running a race, facing daily challenges, or battling spiritually, the fight between flesh and Spirit is very real. But victory is always possible when we lean on God’s strength. Press on, run with endurance, and listen to the voice that says, ‘Keep going.’