What is self-discipline? Self-discipline is consistently controlling your feelings, emotions, and actions. Self-discipline is how you behave.
Life has many distractions and things seeking our attention. These include our family, goals, job, social media, Tv, and many others. We have to rank what needs our attention most and at what time. This is why we need self-discipline.
Knowing you are here on earth for a short time. And you are here for a specific purpose; you must make deliberate decisions to control your life. For you to fulfill that purpose, you have goals you set aligned towards it. Achieving these goals requires discipline.
For a believer to live a fulfilled life, you must have self-discipline. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul emphasizes that only those who commit to practice and focus on the end goal receive the prize. This means that some do not receive the award. Why? They lost focus. They got distracted on the way. Where is your focus?
Paul ends the chapter with a call to himself that he needs to discipline. 1 Corinthians 9" 27 "No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I will not be disqualified for the prize." What lesson is Paul teaching here? That it does not matter who you are; you must have self-discipline. Anyone can be distracted by a busy life and forget about themselves. You can forget about what is essential in life.
What is that important in this life? Our relationship with God is crucial as you live here on earth. Jesus asked His disciples; What gain is to have everything and lose your soul? What gain is it to have a good name, be famous, hold high positions and lose your own life? Does it mean that these other things aren't important? No, they are. God wants to have all these things after we have a relationship with Him.
In another setting, Jesus said we shouldn't fear anyone who can only kill the body. Our fear should be God, who can destroy both the soul and the body (Matthew 10:28). How is your relationship with God?
There are four areas in which you should build self-discipline as a believer. These are;
1. Studying the Word.
The Word of God is life.
The Word of God gives us principles of life. It is through the Word that God speaks to us. Though He speaks to us through other venues, including nature, the Word is the most essential venue God speaks to you. As you study the Word, your eyes of understanding open. You can see the immeasurable power God has put in you through Christ Jesus, as stated in Ephesians 1:17-20.
Through God's Word, you know God's promises upon your life. You have to commit yourself to read the Word. Have a reading plan. It can be either a chapter or several chapters daily. There are several Bible reading plans provided. You can do it with friends or family.
If you are looking for an online Bible Study group, you can consider joining this group on Facebook: IBFN.
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| Bible study |
2. Prayer
Praying is talking with God. It is not about you doing to your closet talk and talk and leave, but God also speaks to you in prayers. Do you love talking to the person you love? God loves you, He loved even before you knew Him -Romans 5:8. Have time to talk with the person in love with you.
Schedule time to have a conversation with God. You can talk with Him anytime, anywhere, because He is always with you and has scheduled prayer time. Jesus had a good discipline of prayer as shared in the Gospels, including Luke 9:18. He would go to a private place to pray. Find a solace place to pray.
3. Fellowship
God created us to be social beings. It is wonderful when brethren meet to worship God together. As a believer, you should be meeting with fellow brethren. Remember, the body of Christ consists of several parts, and you are one part. The body parts function together.
As you meet with other believers, you get edified and edify others. Brethren fellowship is not about you going to church, sitting down, listening to sermons, giving, and leaving. No! Fellowship means you are involved. You are a team player. Ensure you are playing a role in your fellowship.
In the Early Church, in the book of Acts, believers met and worshipped in houses. This gave every member a chance to take part in worship. Maybe, you need to start a fellowship in your home or join a smaller group. Most churches have small groups for fellowship, but most brethren avoid them. It's time you join a fellowship group if you aren't in one.
4. Sharing the Gospel
One way you learn is by sharing what you know. I know you love your friends, family members, and other people around you. If you love them, you would like to see them in heaven? If you do make a commitment to share the message of salvation with them.
You don't impose your faith on them but tell the truth. The truth is man is an eternal being. But where you spend the rest of your life after you leave this earth depends on your relationship with God. God has paid the price by sending His son to die for mankind; it's upon you to believe. John 3:16 states God's love for mankind.
Remember your work is to share the message and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work on conviction.
Self-discipline involves your character. Work on your character and let it be a witness that you are a Disciple of Jesus Christ.
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| Four areas of Self-discipline |
Final Thought
In conclusion, in 1 Corinthians 3:18, we learn we are on work in progress. We are being transformed, worked on, and trimmed until we become Christ-like. So how you control your feelings, actions and emotions is a work in progress. You are growing every day. The more you practice the four disciplines as a believer more you become better. Allow the Holy Spirit work on you.
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