Discipline and Self-Control
I've been thinking a lot about discipline lately. I know part of the reason is my weekly Weight Watchers meetings. It's also the awareness that I tend to spend too much time playing on the computer. I visit blogs. I play a stupid, addictive game (Ancient Jewels). I frequently miss my early morning prayer times.
But the discipline of dieting yields a lot of principles for the disciplines of life. There's nothing wrong with any of the food we eat; the problem lies in quantities. I just have to say "no" to that extra piece of chocolate or the extra slice of bread hot out of the oven. But I find that the more I think about that chocolate in the candy dish, the more I want it. Soon the temptation becomes such strong desire that I find myself giving in.
That sounds a little like what James wrote: "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death" (James 1:13-15).
So if I replace my thoughts of chocolate with appropriate choices, like an orange, I can properly satisfy my desire for sweets. The same thing is true of sinful thoughts and desires. I can replace them with thoughts of those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, and lovely (Philippians 4:8). I can choose to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11).
Getting fit includes more than just what I eat; it also includes the discipline of exercise. Both require self-control and determination. And the physical does affect the spiritual. Notice what Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 9:27): "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
Discipline. Self-control. It's listed in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). It's part of the list of things we must add to our faith in order to be effective and fruitful (2 Peter 1:5-8). And the lack of it is included in the scathing list of characteristics of people in the last days, of those lovers of themselves, the people we are to avoid (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Admittedly, that's not where I thought I was going with this post. However, I am now very convicted about the importance of self control in all aspects of my life, both physical and spiritual. Do these verses convict you, too?
But the discipline of dieting yields a lot of principles for the disciplines of life. There's nothing wrong with any of the food we eat; the problem lies in quantities. I just have to say "no" to that extra piece of chocolate or the extra slice of bread hot out of the oven. But I find that the more I think about that chocolate in the candy dish, the more I want it. Soon the temptation becomes such strong desire that I find myself giving in.
That sounds a little like what James wrote: "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death" (James 1:13-15).
So if I replace my thoughts of chocolate with appropriate choices, like an orange, I can properly satisfy my desire for sweets. The same thing is true of sinful thoughts and desires. I can replace them with thoughts of those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, and lovely (Philippians 4:8). I can choose to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11).
Getting fit includes more than just what I eat; it also includes the discipline of exercise. Both require self-control and determination. And the physical does affect the spiritual. Notice what Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 9:27): "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
Discipline. Self-control. It's listed in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). It's part of the list of things we must add to our faith in order to be effective and fruitful (2 Peter 1:5-8). And the lack of it is included in the scathing list of characteristics of people in the last days, of those lovers of themselves, the people we are to avoid (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Admittedly, that's not where I thought I was going with this post. However, I am now very convicted about the importance of self control in all aspects of my life, both physical and spiritual. Do these verses convict you, too?
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