The Practice of Self-Discipline

“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”  (1 Corinthians 9:27)

It’s not a flashy concept or an especially attractive idea.  It doesn’t turn heads or grab headlines.  It can appear as small as saying no to another Oreo or milkshake, another movie on Netflix, or one more hour on Facebook.  It can even feel as important as living out a decisive yes to sobriety and sexual purity.

Spiritual self-discipline isn’t a pursuit that we simply force into a habit; for if that were the case, there would be little need for the Holy Spirit in our lives.  It's best defined as the ability to regulate one's conduct by principle and sound judgment, rather than by impulse, desire, or social custom.  Biblically, self-discipline may be summarized in one word, obedience.  To exercise self-discipline is to avoid evil by staying within the bounds of God's law.

Remember, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. (See Galatians 5:22-25)  We wouldn’t have it without the Spirit since it is His gifting and work in us.  This understanding then begs the question, “How do we become more self-disciplined in our spiritual lives?”

Self-discipline refers to self as the object of discipline rather than its source.  Even though discipline is learned, and self is the object of the discipline, the motivation and power to develop discipline comes from the Spirit.

So then, in order to become self-disciplined, we need to stop trying to take on the Spirit’s role as the source of life-changing power and rely on the strength He will faithfully work in us.  Paul told Timothy to be strengthened by the Grace of Jesus. (See 2 Timothy 2:1)  If our motivation isn’t coming from the Holy Spirit, then we will continue to be unsuccessful, and fail in the practice of self-discipline.

Our motivation will have an eternal perspective when we draw from the Holy Spirit, and He will give us the strength to, “…run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him, and experience an amazing
change in your own life.

Discover how you can find peace with God.

 

Angry With God?

“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.” (Psalm 13:1-6)

Being angry at God is something that many people, both believers and unbelievers, have wrestled with throughout time.  When something tragic happens in our lives, our natural reaction is to ask, “Why me, God?”

Since losing my legs I occasionally feel anger sneaking into my life, and find myself asking God why things are the way they are.  During those times I notice my anger causing my relationship with God to be strained.  This is because I’ve stopped communicating with God. Too many times, I decide not to read my Bible.  And even worse, I stop praying.

Obviously, there are times when life can be a very sobering experience.  We have all seen the weekend golfer mess up a shot, and get so angry that he tosses his golf club (or maybe even his entire set of clubs) into a water hazard.  There just seems to be something about human nature that insists on having its own way.

Paul reminded the church at Corinth that as believers, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-11)

From a human standpoint, we are often perplexed when we see no way out of our troubles.  Many times the apostle Paul was not sure how a solution was possible in his difficulties, but no matter what his circumstances were, God never abandoned him.

We may wonder why God allows His people to go through difficult trials and times of testing, but the Scriptures teach us that God, in His excellent wisdom, sees fit to allow us to be touched by sickness, sorrow, weakness, persecution, and other complications.  Yet, we must remember that God allows trials and uses them to strengthen our faith.  And these trials are designed to cause the death of our flesh, so that the light of the gospel might shine more clearly through us.  God’s glory is revealed through broken vessels (See 2 Corinthians 4:7); those people who endure troubles by relying on His power. 

In Scripture, we see a difference between righteous and unrighteous anger.  Often times, if our anger is righteous, it only lasts for a second before it becomes unrighteous.  Therefore, we are told in Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger do not sin…”  But often, unresolved anger turns to sin, to hatred, and in extreme cases, murder, both in our heart and physically. (See Matthew 5:21-22)

Righteous anger is a reaction to injustice, and we see an example of this when Jesus drove the merchants out of the temple. (See John 2:13-17)  Yet, it is never right to be angry at God, although there are times when we do express anger, and in those times it is right that we repent of that anger.  If you are angry at God, it is best to confess it and ask forgiveness.

And upon confessing your anger toward Him, you can then ask God to help you grow in faith and accept the way He has allowed things to happen as they do.  It’s okay to say, “Oh Lord, I’m so angry right now!  I don’t understand why this had to happen.  Lord, I feel like You’ve abandoned me, but I need You more than ever right now!”

Life doesn’t always go the way we want it to, but God still loves us.  He loves us so much that He sent His only son into the world to die for us. So put your life into the hands of Jesus, and then ask God to help you begin to trust Him, no matter what happens to you.

Today, lay your heart before God and ask Him to take away your anger.  And seek to get closer in your relationship with Him, instead of farther away from Him.

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him, and experience an amazing
change in your own life.

Discover how you can find peace with God.