The Bible has a lot to say about discipline. The book of Proverbs especially talks about the sluggard and what happens when someone does not discipline themselves.
It’s important to recognize that the Lord wants us to discipline ourselves, but He does not encourage us to push ourselves off the edge of “hard work and productivity.” I know, it’s so easy to do for some of us, but the Bible instead urges us to rest. Do keep that in mind if you happen to be an overachiever (like me).
“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” – Proverbs 13:4
Self-discipline is rewarding. Without self-discipline… there’s no work. Without work, there is nothing. Whereas diligent, disciplined workers will prosper. The Bible says so, right there.
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11
This verse sums it up perfectly. We will not like self-discipline all the time. We already know that. But it will benefit us in the end. It’s important to master now, while we’re still young, so we’re prepared for when we’ll need it later in life.
“Do you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Paul compares self-discipline to the habits of an athlete who is running a race. Athletes can’t take a day off of training. They have to train every single day in order to keep themselves fit. We can’t slack off with self-discipline, either. (Especially not in our faith, which is what Paul is specifically talking about here.)
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
This famous verse is so, so true. Jesus Christ helps us with everything we need. He will help us learn self-discipline. He will help us learn the balance of productivity and rest. He will help us learn to do things when we’d rather not. He will help us in every bit of it.
That should be the most encouraging thing you’ve heard from our articles this month. That’s the cornerstone of all of this. Without Christ, we’re powerless to do anything. But with Him, we can do all things.
Hymn: Onward, Christian Soldiers by Sabine Baring-Gould.
I’d like to share a hymn you may already know: Onward, Christian Soldiers by Sabine Baring-Gould. This hymn illustrates the discipline and perseverance we need to have in the Christian faith in order to defeat the devil, which is the most important area of all to have discipline.
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See his banner go!
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
At the sign of triumph
Satan's host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Like a mighty army
Moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Onward, then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor,
Unto Christ the King;
This thro' countless ages
Men and angels sing.
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
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