2 Timothy 1:6-8 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
As a child our parents taught us discipline in various forms, mostly to behave appropriately in different circumstances. From this we are expected to grow up and have self-discipline. But not all of us have or want self-discipline. I think this is a big problem of the criminals in today’s society. Those that know they need self-discipline can join the military. They will teach you discipline!
So for the rest of us how to learn self-discipline?
If you want something bad enough, you would probably do what it took to get it, right? Now I am not talking about breaking the law to get, but similar to running a race to win, you would practice and train.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
Let’s look at driving for example; do you drive over the speed limit? Why? Slow down, and begin the practice of discipline to follow the rules. Don't tell me "Come on, it’s only driving". No, it starts there, breaking the law, because you can get it away with and everyone else is doing it. No self-discipline. Then it’s easy to slip into breaking other “little laws”.
So in order to be self-disciplined you must have will power over your base desires. You have to train yourself to be self-controlled. Yeah it’s hard, but like anything that’s worth having, it takes work.
So if you want a loving relationship with your family, you must make time for them. The same applies for having a relationship with Jesus Christ. We have to set aside time for prayer and reading the Bible in order to build that relationship.
I know I am not disciplined in all aspects of life, especially as a Christ Follower. But I am trying to read my Bible and pray on a daily basis. Fortunately I commute via a train, which allows me to pray and read. But you need to set aside a time that works for you!
Even Jesus set aside time for prayer. Luke 9:18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”
Jesus used mostly evenings and the Mount of Olives for his prayer time. Luke 21:37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives…,
So, slow down, make time for your family, but mostly make time for God. Be self-disciplined and I guarantee that life will be much simpler. Discipline is the price of freedom.
As a child our parents taught us discipline in various forms, mostly to behave appropriately in different circumstances. From this we are expected to grow up and have self-discipline. But not all of us have or want self-discipline. I think this is a big problem of the criminals in today’s society. Those that know they need self-discipline can join the military. They will teach you discipline!
So for the rest of us how to learn self-discipline?
If you want something bad enough, you would probably do what it took to get it, right? Now I am not talking about breaking the law to get, but similar to running a race to win, you would practice and train.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
Let’s look at driving for example; do you drive over the speed limit? Why? Slow down, and begin the practice of discipline to follow the rules. Don't tell me "Come on, it’s only driving". No, it starts there, breaking the law, because you can get it away with and everyone else is doing it. No self-discipline. Then it’s easy to slip into breaking other “little laws”.
So in order to be self-disciplined you must have will power over your base desires. You have to train yourself to be self-controlled. Yeah it’s hard, but like anything that’s worth having, it takes work.
So if you want a loving relationship with your family, you must make time for them. The same applies for having a relationship with Jesus Christ. We have to set aside time for prayer and reading the Bible in order to build that relationship.
I know I am not disciplined in all aspects of life, especially as a Christ Follower. But I am trying to read my Bible and pray on a daily basis. Fortunately I commute via a train, which allows me to pray and read. But you need to set aside a time that works for you!
Even Jesus set aside time for prayer. Luke 9:18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”
Jesus used mostly evenings and the Mount of Olives for his prayer time. Luke 21:37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives…,
So, slow down, make time for your family, but mostly make time for God. Be self-disciplined and I guarantee that life will be much simpler. Discipline is the price of freedom.
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