The Joy Of Spiritual Discipline
I used to play tennis in high school. At least three times a week, we would run drills in the afternoon. The countless hours of sprinting, swinging the racket, and hitting shots over and over again seemed mind-numbing in the moment. But by the end of my senior year, I could see how much I had improved since being a freshman. I could play tennis well because I had practiced it almost every week.
The word discipline doesn’t sound very joyful on its own. There’s one definition that has to do with others disciplining us, usually in the form of punishment. But then there’s another meaning that refers to how we choose to discipline ourselves.
“Activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training” (dictionary.com).
The Bible is full of advice about the value of discipline and the benefits of taking control of our habits and establishing healthy routines. 1 Timothy 4:8 says, “For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
But what does it mean to train in godliness? And what does self-discipline look like as a Christian? Scripture contains an abundance of ways that we can connect with God and with others. These practices that help us grow in godliness are often referred to as spiritual disciplines.
There are many spiritual disciplines mentioned in the Bible, but here are some examples:
Bible Reading/Memorization
Prayer
Church
Worship
Solitude
Silence
Fasting
Sabbath
Godly Friendships/Small Group
Personal Reflection
Service
Giving
I grew up in a traditional Methodist church with stained-glass windows, elaborate altars, and a pastor who wore a robe and a colored stole. Hymns were sung, call-and-responses were read, and the Lord’s Supper was a frequent part of the liturgy. There was a ritual to church each Sunday, and though I often found myself going through the motions, I realize now that those practices were slowly shaping my faith. They were giving me a firm foundation to lean on when I needed it.
We all practice something. It’s just a matter of what.
It’s no surprise that after I stopped running those tennis drills every week, I slowly lost my ability to play the game well. Now, when I try to pick up a racket, I am rusty and it takes me a while to get the hang of it again. I’m using muscles I don’t normally use. But if I had stuck with that high school routine, if I had kept up the drills, who knows how good of a tennis player I would’ve been by now.
The same is true for spiritual disciplines. If we let our faith routines fall to the wayside and we aren’t continually practicing habits that connect us with God, our spiritual muscles can start to deteriorate. We become lazy and unfocused. According to Proverbs 5:23, “For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.”
One way to identify our need for discipline is to look at what kind of spiritual fruit we are producing. Are we constantly acting out of anger? Are we being gentle, patient, loving? Spiritual disciplines can help us recognize where we are falling short and how we can recalibrate our lives to look more like Jesus.
A devotional Bible study on spiritual disciplines, including Bible study, prayer, fasting, propriety, submission, steadfastness and rest.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us of the importance of using God’s Word as a guide for this process: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Take a look at that list of spiritual disciplines again. Jesus did all of those things while He was on earth. Why? To connect with the Father and to show us how we are supposed to live as sons and daughters of God on mission. How much more so, then, do we also need to practice these habits?
But we have to be very careful not to become too legalistic or make it about impressing others. Matthew 6:1 says, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
Yes, spiritual disciplines are how we connect with God and grow in our faith, but they are not ways to earn God’s favor. Jesus has already done that for us on the cross. Hebrews 10:10 says, “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.”
Instead of restricting us, spiritual disciplines actually bring us joy and freedom. We read our Bibles, pray to our Heavenly Father, and give generously to others, not because we have to, but because we get to. Praise God for the joy and freedom we have in Christ and for the ability to connect with Him each and every day!
What spiritual discipline do you need to practice more of this week?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Abbie is a native Mississippian who now calls Nashville, TN home. She works as a writer for Ramsey Solutions and enjoys reading, traveling, laughing, and playing with her corgi, Eudora, in her spare time. You can find more of her writing at abbiewalker.com.