The Necessity of Self Discipline
Dr. Russell K. Tardo
Discipleship means discipline. The words are synonymous. That the words sound alike is no coincidence because a disciple is a disciplined one, a pupil.
Even the very angels have been given responsibilities. They are given charge over the believers.
11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. [Ps. 91:11-12]
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. [Ps. 34:7]
The angels have a self-imposed discipline, and as believers, we are to have exactly the same type.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. [Lk. 9:23]
I. The Application of Discipline
Believers are to discipline themselves in all areas, i.e., eyes, ears, minds, and hearts. The application of the word discipline in this context means to divide, to separate, to choose.
A. Discipline Your Ears:
Choose carefully what you decide to listen to. One cannot listen to truth and error at the same time, so discern what truth is and make that a priority. Don’t allow Satan to steal your victory by listening to the evil report, to gossip, criticism, or ridicule of others.
B. Discipline Your Eyes:
Be selective in what you look at. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn into lustful thoughts by looking at people, movies, television programs, etc. that might cause your mind to sin. The wise believer will also choose to be a selective reader, weeding out what is unprofitable, what is worldly trash.
C. Discipline Your Mind:
Watch those thoughts! Guard your mind and don’t let your thoughts wander onto subjects that should not be part of a Christian’s thoughts. Also be careful to weed out those thoughts that are sheer fantasy, frivolous, and generally a waste of time.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [Phil. 4:8]
D. Discipline Your Appetites:
24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [1 Cor. 9:24-25]
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. [1 Cor. 6:12]
Believers are not bound by dietary laws and restrictions as they were under the Law. They are, however, to practice temperance, i.e., self-control, and moderation in eating and other fleshly appetites.
E. Discipline Your Tongue:
[Scripture Reference: James, chapter 2.] The believer’s words are powerful and one’s words are vital in determining whether one lives in defeat or in victory. Remember that you have the choice of being blessed or cursed, that it’s up to you to direct and control your tongue. Speak life-giving, not life-destroying words.
II. Redeem the Time
11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. [Eph. 5:11-17]
Christians should impose discipline upon their time. We should all desire and work hard to use our time wisely.
A. Through Study of the Word of God:
Believers should redeem the time in the Word through regular, consistent, systematic study of the Word of God. Make a schedule to study the Bible and follow it.
Study to show thy self approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [2 Tim. 2:15]
Suggested topics for study include:
Theology Books of the Bible Ethics
Surveys Church History The Blood of Jesus
The New Birth Healing Holiness
The Flesh Prayer Praise
Repentance Love End-time Events
Grace Prophecy Languages (Hebrew, Greek)
Discipline your mind by taking notes, thereby avoiding passive listening. Also, avoid passive reading by reading with your highlighter in hand and perhaps even your notebook and pen.
B. Through Prayer:
2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
[Col. 4:2-5]
Saints, discipline yourselves in prayer. Be persistent and diligent. If you don’t watch, you’ll neglect prayer altogether. Another thing to watch for is allowing your mind to wander and become distracted during seasons of prayer.
Pray with thanksgiving, with prayer and praise simultaneously. Do not degenerate into indulging in whining, sniveling, pity-party time. A good practice would be to set aside at least one hour per day to be spent in prayer.
28Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. [Mat. 11:28-30]
There is a yoke or burden to be lifted up to the Lord. There is a discipline in the yoke and burden in prayer. Also, spend time praying in the Holy Ghost.
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. [Jude 1:20]
C. Through Disciplining One’s Affections:
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [1 Jo. 2:15]
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [Gal. 5:24]
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[Mat. 6:33]
28And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord: 30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. [Mark 12:28-31]
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [Col. 3:1-2]
The above passage from Colossians is a commandment as well. One has the power to set one’s affections on whatever one chooses. Love is not an emotion; it’s a choice. That’s the only way one will be able to love one’s enemies. By an act of will, one chooses to love God. When obedience to Him follows, true love is demonstrated.
The word affections is translated from the Greek as mind. This also occurs in other passages.
Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. [Phil. 2:2]
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [Rom. 8:5]
The following passage in Psalms 119 is an excellent confession:
10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. 13With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. 14I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. [Ps. 119:10-17]
Do things hold your affection? Do things possess you? Well ask yourself these questions:
1. Would I grieve if I lost my things?
2. Could I be just as happy and content without them?
3. Could I give it or them up if God required it?
To answer negatively to any one of these reveals the need to realign your affections. When one willingly gives up all affection for things is the time when God can really bless.
28Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. [Mark 10:28-30]
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
[Lk. 14:33]
32But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33Partly, whilst ye were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. [Heb. 10:32-35]
