As followers of Jesus Christ, it's only right that you and I desire to fulfill His purpose for our lives. But in order to do , discipline is required. Without it, the distractions of this life interfere with our goals. To explain this point to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul used an illustration from sports. Like athletes in training, we must also exercise self-control and restraint--not living aimlessly, but with a definite purpose or "prize" in mind (1 Cor. 9:23-27). The more clearly our goals are defined, the better we understand which disciplines are needed to achieve them.Simply wanting to fulfill God's will for our lives is not enough. It is discipline, not just desire, that determines both your destiny and mine.
Scriptural Principles:
Self-Discipline and Divine Discipline
Self-discipline is personal training that develops self-control and character, resulting in an orderly and efficient life. Divine discipline, however, is God's correction in our lives when we step out of His will or disobey Him (Heb.12:5). The Father uses divine discipline to get us back on the right course. In contrast, self-discipline is what you and I must practice in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Why is self-discipline necessary
Self-discipline is essential to godliness (1 Tim. 4:7-8; 1 Pet. 1:15). It is required to overcome the three enemies that will otherwise hinder our destinies. One is the devil, and worldly systems are another. The third enemy, what Paul calls "the flesh," is our carnality, or natural desires. "Carnality" means there are desires within each of us that do not fit God's plan for our lives. This can include legitimate desires that must be properly controlled. Food and rest,, for example, are good things, but too much of either can be harmful. Companionship is also good, but without discipline, unhealthy dependencies can result. Like wise, sexual intimacy is a gift from God, but it is poisonous outside of marriage. In other words, many things in life aren't inherently wrong; they just need to be properly controlled.
What to Expect from a Lack of Discipline
Without discipline, we'll often step out of God's will, justify indulgences, and experience the consequences. Poor health and financial debt are common examples. Credit card companies love undisciplined people. To avoid such trouble, we must budget wisely, honor God by tithing, and teach our children to do the same. Another major area that suffers when someone lacks discipline is job performance. Many people have a hard time keeping a job because the show up late, work slothfully, or leave tasks for others to finish. When the next job opportunity comes, these people are likely to be overlooked. A lack of discipline is harmful in other areas of life, too. For example, reckless speech ad chronic tardiness cause turmoil in relationships. Someone who is undisciplined will probably waste time and energy. Usually, when a home is sloppy, other areas of life are also out of order. For instance, someone who never follows a schedule will more than likely complete tasks poorly or even neglect them entirely. Perhaps the most important consequence of an undisciplined life is that it compromises a believer's testimony and the ability to witness in fuller measures (1Cor.9:27).
What is required for a disciplined life?
- Have a definite goal or purpose. Goals clarify what disciplines are needed for achievement.
- Detach from things that draw you away from your goals. Sacrifice those desires that pull you off course. For example, when Jesus decided to go to Samaria, He had to decline other opportunities (John 4:4).
- Pursue your objectives with diligence. Goals of great value demand perseverance. Reflecting on their worth keeps us on course.
- Be consistent. Discipline is ineffective if it is practiced one day and neglected the next. But don't let moments of failure defeat you. Instead, keep trying, and consistency will develop.
- Say "no" in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the indwelling presence of the Spirit is available to empower you to be self-controlled.
Being self-controlled has many benefits. For one, life becomes orderly and less stressful. When our goals are clear, we can easily set each day's priorities and work to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. Doing so helps us be productive, which typically leads to each of us feeling good about our accomplishments. Furthermore, discipline in one area of life often strengthens our self-control in other areas. For instance, we may fond that when we are taking better care of our health, getting the right amount of rest and developing deeper relationships are easier to manage. Discipline can also have a positive impact on those around you. Observing my mother's diligence, for example, motivated me as a boy to do my best at delivering newspapers. To this day, the foundation she laid in my life is part of what motivates me to work with excellence at whatever I do. In turn, I taught both my son and daughter to be disciplined instead of giving them everything they wanted the moment they asked for it. The self-control they learned when they were children has helped them succeed as adults. And they are not are now passing the same lessons on to their own children. No matter how blessed you and I may be here on earth because of practicing self-control, we must always remember that the most significant benefit of discipline isn't found in this lifetimes. The greatest reward will come from Jesus on the day we stand before Him.
How do I start being disciplined?
- Read God's Word. Spend time reading a portion of Scripture every day.
- Pray. Make time to be alone with the Father, eliminating other activities if necessary.
- Tithe. Whatever we earn, you and I can always give a tenth to God.
- Attend church. Meeting with other believers gives us the opportunity to worship God and grow together.
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