Many times when the above is heard or mentioned, I tend to be like \’hmmn\’, okay\’ or \’so that actually works??\’. Are you like me?
Self-discipline can also be said to be self-control which the bible explains that it is part of the fruit of the Spirit. I am sure you\’ve heard verses like; The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. This verse means there is order and control in the church therefore we can be subjective to teachings and corrections as prophets. We are not fully taken over by God\’s Spirit so much that we must say what we have to say at all cost. There is a will, how much more disciplining the body. We must not forget that yes we are humans but we have choices, we have our freewill given to us by God.
The term free will was never breached even as regards receiving the life of God and accepting Christ. We made a choice or should I say you would have to make a choice if you haven\’t. We also have other choices to make in each and every area of our lives. It could be career choices, marital choices, and even our desires to be more specific.
I could prefer a drink to another and it is my choice to take what I want. However this is where self-discipline comes in. Self-discipline is for ourselves to keep us in check so that God\’s will be done such as forgiving others, it is much more for others too. Why do you think we should not steal, take one\’s partner or do certain things?
When we love God and abide in his will, we are actually loving ourselves and others also. We must portray and show who we are that our father is love.
Galatians 5: 13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
This verse clearly states it. Although, it cannot be denied that self-discipline can be difficult. Many times people want to remove the \’self\’ since we are \’Christians\’ but I don\’t see that as necessary. It is true that we have the fruit of the Spirit, we still have a choice to prove it.
Just as it is difficult to be joyful in trying times, it is a command because we can take it from within. It is our choice. With the fruit of the Spirit, we can make the right choice.
We have to go all the way as regards discipline and control, if we can bring out the best and try so hard to study, to work, to have a good career and do many other things, we can be disciplined about things concerned with our Christian faith. We can act the right way to make our salvation evidential. We should work out our salvation because it is there.
If we stand for something, we won\’t fall for anything just anyhow. Our values reflect where we are disciplined and controlled. If not, are we willing to change and how much work are we willing to put in? We have self-control within us we just have to find it. It\’s the fruit of our very being, we are a new creature.
We have to make prayer, study etc. as priority and drop certain desires. How can this be done? This all goes back to love. That we understand God\’s love so much that we desire to do his will in return.
Don\’t give up when you fail and don\’t give up when you fall too. It takes time but understand it\’s a process and its gradual. It is one step at a time. What do you need to prioritize? What desires do you need to drop?
You see Paul had to be like you to achieve certain goals.
1 Corinthians 9:27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
What about bad habits you may ask? It is the same principle that needs to be applied. Just realize them and aim at them. Write them down and prepare. Don\’t forget to break bad habits, you must take up new ones. This is something that has to occur simultaneously just like using a stone to kill two birds.
With the help of God\’s Spirit as we are already one with him we can live moderately if we choose to. What choice would you make today?
Remember to take it gradually.
2 Peter 1:5-8 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.