The Power of Biblical Self-Discipline For the Modern Day Christian
Earlier in life I considered myself an extremely disciplined person. I knew my God-given purpose and my Type A personality was a gifted tool to keep me on track. But, that self-discipline fell off along the way.
Journeys are not without their scars, and depending on how we handle them, they can negatively affect our futures if we let them. I started to have trouble with balance and went through phases of burnout, so I loosened the reigns a little.
This looked like, “Oh you can grab that fast food meal” or “You don’t have to move your body today, you deserve to be a couch potato.”
Just as detrimental was the “treat yourself mentality,” which caused me to emotionally shop instead of following the plan God put in my heart for my extra money.
Every day without me fully realizing it, the reins became looser and looser. It eventually came to the point where I struggled with consistency in numerous areas of my life—one being this blog.
But that’s how the enemy works. He’s a very patient, strategic, and ancient enemy that has been watching mankind since our creation. He’s been studying each of us since birth identifying our weaknesses and using them to derail us from God’s plans for our lives.
He chips and chips taking small pieces of our foundation and before we realize it, a chunk is missing.
These bad and very lax habits I developed were counterproductive to the life God wanted me to lead. God warned me that if I kept along the same paths, I would miss the blessings He wanted to bestow on my life. I don’t want that. And I don’t want that for you either.
I don’t want future health problems and a poor quality of life because of my poor food choices and lack of exercise. I don’t want to procrastinate and not see this blog reach its full potential of encouraging and pointing women to Jesus. I want to see the visions God has whispered to me realized in His perfect timing.
God wants the same for you in whatever He’s called you to do on this Earth. Your mission is important to the kingdom of God and biblical self-discipline is required.
By the way, if you’re struggling to find God’s calling on your life, check out my article on tips to help you identify your purpose.
At the time of this writing the new year will be rolling around in a few weeks. It’s a time when many “reset,” contemplating the prior year and making goals for the upcoming one.
However, if we are to succeed in anything that God has placed in our hearts, biblical self-discipline is one of the most essential tools and weapons at our disposal.
Here’s why.
What Is Biblical Discipline
Biblical self-discipline vs self-control
You may hear self-discipline and self-control used interchangeably. They are similar, but they are two different abilities on a spectrum. However, both are essential.
According to dictionary.com, self-control relates to the short-term and involves controlling impulsive behaviors. But, self-discipline is a long game where you’re actively working to change habits with the goal of self-improvement.
So biblically, self-discipline is the act of allowing God’s Spirit to train us so that we fulfill the desires of the Spirit instead of the desires of the flesh.
Biblical self-control is the act of denying the desires of our flesh and submitting to the will of God at any given moment.
Example of biblical self-control. “No, I will not eat all those doughnuts while working with God on my fitness journey.”
Example of biblical self-discipline. “I will pack fresh fruits and veggies every day to ensure I have healthy snacks while working with God on my fitness journey.”
The Bible explains and warns us about the desires of the flesh which are against the desires of the Spirit of God.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
If we’re not walking with The Spirit of God, these characteristics of the flesh start to run rampant with the goal of stealing your joy, killing your calling, and destroying your peace—Satan’s signature moves.
This is why biblical self-discipline is a gift and a weapon. Because when used, it can conquer every single desire of the flesh allowing you to walk in the freedom of Christ.
Spiritual self-discipline is how we guard our hearts and resist the temptations of the enemy.
It is also what Paul is referring to when he spoke of running your Christian race and running it well.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Examples of biblical self-discipline in the Bible.
The Bible is filled with Christians who fought the same battles as us long ago. As stated in Ecclesiastes, there’s nothing new under the sun. The same tactics Satan used in biblical times, he’s still using today.
But, God allowed the stories of those who came before us to be told so that we may be strengthened and empowered to fight our spiritual battles today.
So here, we’ll discuss examples of self-discipline from scripture.
Joseph
God provided Joseph with dreams of who he would become and what would be. Joseph shared these dreams with his family.
Joseph’s brothers were consumed by the spirit of envy. Due to this, they plotted against Joseph.
The first option was to kill him. It was later decided that they would sell him into slavery and lie to their father.
After being sold into slavery, Joseph persevered through many trials. When his master’s wife attempted to seduce him, he had built godly self-discipline which allowed him to flee temptation.
However, he was falsely accused of attempted rape and put in jail. Joseph continued to persevere using his God-given gift of interpreting dreams. Fast forward, he interprets Pharaoh’s dream which was a prophecy regarding years of abundance followed by years of a severe and deadly famine.
God would use Joseph to sustain and save His people AKA Joseph’s brothers AKA the other tribes of Israel, during the famine.
When Joseph saw his brothers, he could’ve lashed out and chosen vengeance and violence. He had the power as he had become 2nd in command in Egypt. But, he didn’t.
Joseph showed a remarkable display of godly self-discipline when he chose to continue honoring God in his works. And God continued to honor him.
David
David, the man after God’s heart and the 2nd King of Israel. However, David’s story also has a dark side. He succumbed to adultery and murder proceeding to lie to cover it up.
This is where biblical self-control and discipline wavered.
Yet, his story is also one where these attributes prevailed. His predecessor, Saul failed to repent and turn back to God. However, David’s story teaches us about the love, compassion, and forgiveness God has for a heart that is truly broken by sin and humble enough to repent.
Saul actively pursued and plotted against David as he knew his time as king was coming to an end. But, David never retaliated. David was a great warrior and had patiently waited for his turn to ascend the throne. The Bible never states that David was impatient asking God when and how.
It does state that he refused to touch Saul in fear and reverence for God. He waited for God’s appropriate and perfect timing. This is biblical self-discipline.
And this is one of the many examples that we can find from David’s incredible story.
Daniel
Daniel is another great example of someone who exhibited biblical self-discipline.
Daniel chapter 1 takes us to the time after Israel fell to Babylon. The king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, ordered his chief of court officials to choose young men from Jewish royalty and nobility to be placed in his service.
This was a competition of sorts as there were specific criteria that these young men had to meet and at the end, they would be presented to the king.
The young men were to be served meals straight from the king’s table—choice wine and fine foods.
But, Daniel, Azariah, Hananiah, and Mishael declined it. They explained to the chief of court officials that the food would defile them and asked for vegetables and water. The chief was hesitant as he thought they would look ill and he would be blamed.
However, God favored them and the chief of court officials did as they asked. They ate vegetables and water. After 10 days, they appeared healthier than all the other men. This is spiritual self-discipline.
Throughout the Book of Daniel, you will see more examples as Daniel was a man who made it his practice and mission to make God’s doctrine his foundation and guiding light.
Throughout the book, you will see God honoring that by granting him favor and saving him—like when he was thrown into a lion’s den for refusing to bow to an idol.
Jesus
It would be an understatement to say that Jesus’s task here on Earth was not easy. After the fall of Adam and Eve, God’s creation became slaves to sin and death was the price.
They were under a law that no imperfect human could fill. Animal sacrifices to atone for sin would not do. So Jesus came, fulfilled the statutes of the Law, and provided a path to salvation.
His road required spiritual self-discipline. He was tempted with every temptation under the sun and still walked this Earth perfectly.
He is the blueprint for how we are to live our lives. A life serving God using the gift of self-control and self-discipline given to us by God’s spirit that dwells in the temple of our spiritual hearts.
Tips to help you develop biblical self-discipline
Prayer
Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons we have in our spiritual battle against the enemy and his forces. This is why Jesus made it a point to teach us how to pray and demonstrated a strong prayer life throughout His time on Earth.
We are to follow His lead. God is ready and willing to help us overcome anything that life throws at us. We only have to ask and then just as importantly, trust Him.
Take a look at the verses below that encourage us to seek God in all situations.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
So if you’re struggling with self-discipline, ask God for help. He will give you wisdom and strategy while showing you how to unlock the gift of spiritual self-discipline that is already within you.
Believe in yourself and what God has placed inside of you.
To succeed at becoming a biblically disciplined person, you must think like God and believe what He says about you.
He wants you to know and believe the following:
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
So no matter how many times you’ve failed in any area in your life, God will be there to pick you up and encourage you to try again. He believes in you. So renew your mind and adopt His vision of yourself.
Pray and ask Him to allow you to see what He sees and give you the courage to persevere.
Work in systems to create good habits
As imperfect humans, we learn a lot of bad behaviors in life. Unfortunately, some of them set up a home in our daily routines and become bad habits. But, the Holy Spirit is in the business of breaking those bad habits and helping you to develop good ones.
I find that I like to work in systems. If I develop a good system for myself then I’m more likely to stay consistent. And if I remain consistent with said behavior it can turn into a good habit with beneficial results.
For instance, one of my current goals is to walk 10k steps a day. So I’ve developed a system of parking in a distant spot in the garage, taking the stairs, and taking walk breaks throughout the day to help me reach my goal. And for the past week, I’ve been hitting my mark and then some.
Remember, God never expects perfection from us. It’s all about progress. He will handle the rest.
Don’t operate on your feelings
Speaking of that 10k/day step goal or any goal, it’s easy to say I don’t feel like doing it today. Don’t let your feelings dictate what you do.
Our emotions can change rapidly and if we’re operating out of them, it sends us on the roller coaster ride of lives. Speak to your feelings and change your thoughts with the word of God.
When I’m on the treadmill and I feel like I don’t want to be there, I start using my tongue to speak God’s word over my life.
“God thank you that I am healthy and I am healed.”
“God, I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
“God, I’m thankful for the ability to walk and to see all the beauty you’ve placed in my life.”
Do this and watch your feelings start to align with the word of God.
Feed the Spirit, not your flesh
When I was discussing speaking to my emotions above, that’s an example of me feeding my Spirit by declaring the word of God and denying my flesh.
My flesh wants to sit on the couch, watch movies, and scroll social media. God wants me up and fulfilling the tasks He has for me at that moment.
Every day and honestly every minute, we must be checking our flesh. It may seem easier and fleetingly satisfying to give in to it. But, doing so can have consequences that can affect generations to come.
I’m not being dramatic, look at the stories in the Bible. One being Sarah’s.
Our “small” behaviors may not seem like much, but we are in a spiritual battle. What we do and say matters.
Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:8
Combat procrastination
Procrastination is not our friend. In actuality, it’s an enemy to our purpose and a counteractive behavior to a life of biblical self-discipline.
Thus, we must avoid it at all costs. As stated above, do not operate off of your feelings and speak to your Spirit. Have a mind determined to fulfill the things of God and a heart set on obedience.
Surround yourself with godly friends
Friends who are of the same mindset and can hold you accountable are gifts from God. They can be key assets to help you on your journey of exercising discipline and biblical self-control.
If you’re struggling to find your tribe of Christian friends, check out my article.
Final thoughts on the importance of biblical self-discipline
God has big things planned for all of us. But, we will never be able to achieve our highest potential without a healthy dose of biblical self-discipline. It takes patience, practice, and exercising faith.
At the beginning of this article, I shared how God warned me that I wouldn’t be able to achieve all He had for me if I wasn’t exercising self-discipline. So, I’ve been making a conscious effort to work with God on this. I’m excited to share that I’ve already seen remarkable changes that will have resonations into the future.
I pray the same for you.
Until next time,
-Dr. Jay
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