September 17, 2023
“Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. 1 Timothy 4:7-10
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27
How do you view discipline? Would you consider yourself a disciplined person? Do you view discipline as a negative or positive word. Many thinks of it as punishment or as a negative word with negative connotations, especially when a pattern of behavior needs changing. Discipline presents difficulties due to the fact that it is a complex and multifaceted concept that incorporates various aspects of our human behavior and self-control. It involves the ability to regulate and restrain oneself to achieve specific goals, adhere to certain rules or standards, and resist temptations or distractions.
Discipline is defined as “training and guidance expected to produce a specific character or pattern of
behavior.” It plays a crucial role in personal development, accomplishment, and maintaining some sense of stability in society. Discipline involves the ability to regulate and restrain oneself to achieve specific goals, adhere to certain rules or standards, and resist temptations or distractions
One of the fundamental challenges of discipline is the constant battle between instant gratification and delayed gratification. We live in a microwave society and many things are provided to us at the touch of a finger or by voice command. However, many times, the things that require discipline, such as studying, prayer, saving money, or maintaining a healthy diet, do not always offer immediate rewards. It’s easier to choose short-term pleasure over long-term benefits.
Discipline is not a one-time effort but a continuous practice. Consistency is crucial for lasting results, and it can be challenging to maintain discipline day in and day out. In fact, almost nothing of any significance in our lives is ever accomplished without it.
In the biblically context, discipline is not part of the sin nature, it is a natural component of the Christian life. Discipline in a biblical framework encompasses spiritual growth, obedience to God’s commands, correction and rebuke, parental guidance, self-control, endurance, and the process of discipleship. It is viewed as a means of aligning your life with God’s will, growing in faith, and developing the character traits that reflect the image of God. Discipline in the Bible is often portrayed as an expression of love, both from God and from earthly authorities, designed to bring about righteousness and spiritual maturity in the life of the Believer.
So, What are Spiritual Disciplines? Spiritual disciplines can be described as those behaviors that enhance our spiritual growth and enable us to grow toward spiritual maturity in Christ. This process of spiritual growth and development begins to take place the moment a person has an encounter with the risen Christ and comes to Him for salvation.
The Purpose of Spiritual Discipline is the development of our inner being, that which has been transformed by Christ at salvation. Those who are Believers in Christ have been redeemed have experienced the total renewal of the whole person from within, involving differences in thought, feeling and character that may be slower to be evident in our outward behavior. This what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he penned Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its Creator.” (NRSV)
In the realm of spiritual discipline, we can error if we move too far from the teaching of Scripture. Self-Help books and various other practices of self-control will not provide you with the anchor needed to be successful. By far, spiritual disciplines involving the Word of God constituting the reading, study, memorization, and meditation of Scripture is an absolute. If this discipline is neglected, no other effort to discipline ourselves will be successful because we simply do not have the power to overcome the resistance of the sin nature in which our new natures reside.
NO! We simply DO NOT have the power to overcome the resistance of demonic influences whose aim is always to separate us from the only means of spiritual growth, the Word of God. The very inherent nature of Scripture, it is literally from the mouth of God – it is “God-breathed,” which means that it contains the very power of God. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:17, that our only source of power and offensive spiritual weapon against demonic forces is the Word of God.
Reading and studying the Word of God is essential, therefore, the discipline of memorizing God’s Word is absolutely necessary. Our minds believe what we tell it, and memorizing Scripture is vital which allows us to act and react to life’s challenges and circumstances. The Psalmist reminds us to hid the Word of God in our hearts. “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:11. Another powerful passage of Scripture regarding the necessity of memorization is in Joshua 1:8: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” It is through the discipline of memorization that we are empowered to pray more effectively and to meditate. This in turn enables us to “be prosperous and successful” as God defines “success” for us. When we are walking in His ways and in His will, we are filled with a new Spirit-filled inner being, one with the heartbeat of God.
Also, the discipline of prayer is essential. It is our spiritual communion with God. Our prayer group does this through means of ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Petition. Some groups use PRAY: Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield! The amazing thing about
prayer is that God meets us where we are. He comes alongside us to lead us into a deeper, more real and intimate relationship with Him, not motivated by guilt, but driven by His love. The discipline of Prayer changes us. Prayer changes lives. Prayer changes history. Knowing God as Personal Lord and Savior really makes us want to conform to Jesus and His will for our lives. God will slowly and graciously reveal Himself to us when we pray, and it is during those moments that we can more deeply understand and experience His love. Of course, one of the major results of disciplined prayer is answered prayer. However, it is secondary to the real purpose of prayer, which is an ever-growing, unending communion with God.
The spiritual discipline of prayer coupled with the Word will provide you with a fulfilling and rewarding course which will lead to godly living, praise, submission, service and celebration of your salvation and the God who provided it. Through these disciplines, you are enabled to obey God’s command to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” as noted in Philippians 2:12-13.
The Benefits of DISCIPLINE?
Discipline can keep us following God’s word more closely.
Psalm 119:67. “I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow Your Word.”
Discipline promotes right living.
Proverbs 6:23. “ For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.”
Hebrews 12:11. “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”
HEART CHALLENGE: God is not only a disciplining parent but also a demanding coach who pushes us to our limits and requires our life to be disciplined. Although we may not feel strong enough to push on to victory, we will be able to obtain it as we follow Christ and draw upon His strength. Then we can use our growing strength to help those around us who are weak and struggling.
We may respond to discipline in several ways:
- Accept it with resignation
- Accept it with self-pity, thinking we really don’t deserve it
- Be angry and resent God for it
- We can accept it gratefully as the appropriate response toward a loving Father.
A DISCIPLINED 
HEART: The best way to avoid error in the understanding of spiritual disciplines is to stick with clear scriptural mandates given to all Christians to immerse ourselves in the Word of God wherein God speaks to us, and in prayer, whereby we speak to Him. The Word of God and prayer will change your life if you allow it to work in your life. It is never too late to discover what you must do with God’s Word. You must do more than simply read it, although that is necessary – you should also love it, treasure it, learn it, memorize it, meditate on it, believe it and practice it. The way you treat your Bible is the way you treat the Lord, Jesus Christ.
FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your Word that teaches us how to live and glorify You! Thank you for the privilege and discipline of Prayer that allows us to commune with You Father and change us, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!