Proverbs 25:28
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
Donald S. Whitney, in his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, begins by equating a disciplined life to one who practices an art or a sport in order to get better. Which has a more positive connotation for us instead of what the Webster-Merriam Dictionary says, which is, “showing a controlled form of behavior or way of working.” For me, a disciplined person, on the one hand, is one who practices something to get better and that is rewarding. On the other hand, a person in a quest to be disciplined who simply controls his behavior could be perceived as having negative behavior or being neurotic.
Rather than being either-or, maybe there are benefits with a hybrid form of discipline for the Christian found in Scripture. Yes, there is! Praise God! For example, we are instructed in Scripture to strive for a certain form of behavior in our quest to be holy and an imitator of Jesus (see Ephesians 4-6). So, in defense of Scripture which is our rule and guide for faith and practice, we resort to being obedient to His Word. We strive to take off all things that bind and hinder us, so we can press on to our high calling in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:1-2). Thankfully, Scripture also provides us with an example of disciplined life as one who practices so he may win the prize.
The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, ‘
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified..”’
Like the runner who is running to win the prize, we also as Christians must strive for the goal that is also set before us. That goal is not eternal life like many Christians sadly profess. For that was accomplished and sealed when Christ died on the cross for the penalty of our sins. Scripture clearly says that we cannot do anything to merit eternal life because it is a free give of God given to us, to those He favors, as a mighty act of grace. Our goal as Christians, as seen in Scripture is our sanctification, or rather, our journey to become holy and be like Jesus. Hebrews 12:14 says it best, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
Donald Whitney also says in his book, “Discipline without direction is drudgery. That sounds horrible. But God did not leave us defenseless. We have the promised Holy Spirit who leads, guides, teaches, heals, and comforts us. I’ve heard many people say when they are in a quandary to trust their hearts. That is not Biblical and in Him we trust. Our God, will instruct us and discipline us in our pursuit of holiness. As the Word of God says, without holiness, no one will see Him.