Growing in Discipline

“Never did a great mind produce so little,” commented William Barclay about Samuel Taylor Coleridge the British poet.

In summarizing Coleridge’s undisciplined life, Barclay wrote, “He left Cambridge University to join the army; he left the army because he could not rub down a horse; he returned to Oxford and left without a degree. He began a paper called “The Watchman” which lived for ten numbers and then died.”

He further observed that Coleridge “lost himself in visions of work to be done, that always remained to be done.” Then he offered the assessment, “Coleridge had every poetic gift but one–the gift of sustained and concentrated effort.” Apparently Coleridge had many ideas for books that he never wrote because he never disciplined himself to sit down and write.

Discipline is a vital key to success in every worthwhile endeavor.  In every occupation. In sports. In business. And it’s necessary spiritually. Without discipline there is no growth. John Maxwell was right when he wrote, “Motivation gets you going–Discipline keeps you growing.”

Discipline is the ability to control one’s self. It has to do with correction. Restraint. And will power. Discipline involves training. Exertion. And rigorous exercise.

“Discipline is demanded of the athlete to win a game. Discipline is required for the captain running a ship. Discipline is needed for the pianist to practice for the concert. Only in the matter of personal conduct is the need for discipline questioned,” observed Gladys Brooks.

Paul compared the Christian life to an Olympic athlete who commits to rigorous training “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27).

Self discipline prods punctuality. Practices self-denial. Welcomes responsibility. Accepts criticism. Breaks bad habits. Controls thoughts. Curbs emotions. Shapes character. And facilitates spiritual growth.

Thomas Huxley was right when he wrote, “The most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not. It is the first lesson that ought to be learned and however early a person’s training begins, it is probably the last lesson a person learns thoroughly.”

The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary points out that the words “disciple” and “discipline” come from the same root word. By definition a disciple is a learner, follower, or pupil of another. “A convicted adherent of a school or individual.” Discipline may involve a field of study. “It is training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.” Bill Hull says, “Discipleship is the intentional training of disciples with accountability, on the basis of loving relationships.”

In other words to be discipled for Christ you must be disciplined. In order to grow spiritually, you must exercise discipline. Without discipline we will fail to add the Christian virtues of faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love” (2 Pet. 1:5-7).

The regular and consistent disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, spiritual meditation, prioritizing what’s really important, making the most of our time, and a daily God consciousness will add up over a period of time to greater spiritual growth when we are disciplined.

Author and fellow preacher, Gary Henry expressed it succinctly when he wrote, “Life presents us with no greater challenge than when it asks us to discipline ourselves.” However, he correctly observes that discipline is “very difficult.” “It’s not a skill learned overnight, but one that comes from growth and training.”

Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23). That’s daily discipline. And it will produce spiritual growth.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman