Perhaps you’ve seen it before—two boys squaring off in the backyard. No technique. No plan. Just wild swings, heads down, eyes closed, arms flailing like windmills. No good punches land. No real fight happens. Just a lot of wasted effort and bruised egos.
It’s a funny picture when it’s kids. But it’s a tragedy when it describes grown men—especially fathers—in the spiritual fight of life.
The Man in the Arena (1 Corinthians 9:24–27)
In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul steps into the ring—not as a casual observer but as a battle-tested contender. He draws on the imagery of ancient Olympic athletes, who trained with intensity and discipline to receive a crown of withering leaves. For Paul—and for us—the prize is far greater: an imperishable crown (cf. 2 Timothy 4:8).
Paul doesn’t shadowbox. He doesn’t beat the air. He fights with purpose. Trains with intention. And so must we.
Especially as fathers. If we’re going to lead our homes, disciple our children, love our wives, and resist the schemes of the devil, we can’t afford to fight blind. We need eyes open, fists ready, and hearts trained.
Here’s how:
1. Get in the Fight: From Spectator to Contender
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” —1 Corinthians 9:24
There are no bleacher seats in the kingdom of God. Fatherhood is not a spectator sport.
Far too many men sit in the pew like it’s their recliner—watching, not warring. But your family needs more than that. Your children need a warrior-king who steps into the fight for their souls. Your wife needs a man who labors in love and leads with spiritual courage.
Paul didn’t train to watch. He trained to win. We must choose the same. The time for passive manhood is over. It’s time to get in the ring.
Practical challenge: Pick one spiritual action today. Pray over your children. Open your Bible. Confess your sin. Lead your family in a devotion. Step forward—not back.
2. Train with Purpose: Aim Before You Swing
“So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.” —1 Corinthians 9:26
Men are made to pursue. But without a target, we flail. That’s why Paul says he didn’t throw punches without aim.
What are you aiming for, spiritually?
- To be more present with your family?
- To kick a sinful habit?
- To grow in the Word?
- To disciple your son or daughter?
- To become a spiritual leader instead of a spiritual bystander?
You can’t hit what you don’t aim at. Set a clear, measurable goal:
- Read one chapter of Scripture every morning before work.
- Pray with your wife every night.
- Memorize a verse each week with your kids.
- Ask one coworker each week what they believe about God.
You don’t need to overhaul your life in one day. Just take aim. Then take one step forward.
Remember: A real man takes responsibility for where his life is headed.
3. Master Your Body: Discipline Beats Emotion
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” —1 Corinthians 9:27
The Greek word for “discipline” used here literally means “to give a black eye.” Paul says he beat his body into submission. He wasn’t a slave to his urges—his body was a servant to his mission. That’s the kind of grit Christian fathers need.
Discipline is the dividing line between dreamers and doers. Between passive intentions and real transformation.
And the cost of quitting? Paul says it’s being disqualified. Not from a game—but from the race of faith. From the role of influence. From the legacy of righteousness.
Jesus warned us about the same danger. He spoke of those who caused others to stumble—especially the young (Matthew 18:6–7). As fathers, we must not be spiritual stumbling blocks. Our children are watching. Our wives are watching. And more than that—God is watching.
Ask yourself: What’s the one area of self-control you’re most tempted to neglect? Food? Pornography? Laziness? Anger? Excuses? Start there. Punch back.
4. Fight for the Crown: The Honor that Doesn’t Fade
In Paul’s day, the athlete’s wreath was made of local vegetation—laurel, olive, pine. Perishable. Yet it was one of the highest honors in Roman society.
But we’re not fighting for leaves. We’re fighting for eternal glory. For the crown that doesn’t wither. For the “well done” of our King. For our families’ future. For the faith of our sons and daughters. For a place in the great cloud of witnesses who didn’t tap out.
This isn’t backyard sparring anymore. This is spiritual war. And it’s worth every drop of sweat, every swing of the arm, every tear of repentance.
Final Charge: Throw a Punch Today
It’s easy to stay in the corner. Easy to keep your eyes closed and arms flailing. Easy to mean well without ever doing well.
But it’s also easy to:
- Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier and pray for your kids.
- Turn off Netflix and open the Word.
- Ask a brother in Christ to hold you accountable.
- Speak one truth from God’s Word to your child before bed.
You don’t have to win the whole fight today. But you can throw a punch.
Don’t beat the air.
Don’t drift through fatherhood.7
Don’t settle for spiritual survival.
Put your eyes on the crown, tighten your gloves, step forward, and fight like a man of God.
By Jeremy Sprouse
Jeremy has been married to Erynn since August 1999. They are blessed with six children: Jaden, Isaiah, Isaac, Ean, Joseph, and Evelyn. Jeremy preaches for the Patrick St. church of Christ in Dublin, TX and is the author of To Train Up a Knight.
Knights of The Father 