In her book Reach for the Summit, the late Hall of Fame University of Tennessee basketball coach Pat Summit offered this insightful observation:
“Discipline is the internal mechanism that motivates you. It gets you out of bed in the morning. It gets you to work on time, and it tells you when you need to work late. It drives you. It is essential to success, whether individually or in a group.”
Sports commentators often praise a team by saying, “They run a very disciplined offense.” They are speaking of a team’s deliberate execution, attention to detail, and commitment to the coach’s game plan. A disciplined team doesn’t beat itself with careless mistakes and unforced turnovers. They play under control.
On the other hand, you’ve probably heard an announcer say, “They’re a talented team, but they don’t always play with discipline.” Or, “He’s a gifted athlete, but he lacks personal discipline.”
The lesson is obvious: talent alone is never enough.
Discipline is essential for success in every area of life—sports, business, finances, relationships, and especially our spiritual lives. Without discipline, athletes rarely win championships, businesses seldom thrive, and Christians struggle to grow into mature disciples of Christ.
Simply put, discipline is choosing what matters most over what feels best at the moment.
This week, I’m teaching an adult class during the Wellandport Church of Christ VBS in Wainfleet, Ontario, using their sports theme. My series is titled Developing the Heart of a Spiritual Champion. Throughout this week, I’ll share highlights from the five lessons, beginning today with Discipline: Champions Train Intentionally.
The apostle Paul frequently borrowed illustrations from athletics. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, he reminds us that athletes exercise self-control to win a temporary crown, while Christians strive for an imperishable one. His conclusion is powerful: “I discipline my body and keep it under control.”
What does discipline accomplish?
First, discipline produces consistency. Talent may appear occasionally, but discipline shows up every day. Disciplined people develop positive patterns that move them forward, whether they feel like it or not. That’s true in sports, in life, and in Christian discipleship. It’s no surprise that Scripture repeatedly urges believers to “continue” and remain steadfast in the faith (Colossians 1:23; Acts 11:23).
Second, discipline strengthens self-control. The two go hand in hand. Self-control is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23) and one of the Christian graces we are commanded to cultivate (2 Peter 1:6). A disciplined life enables us to say “no” to harmful desires so we can say “yes” to God’s will.
Third, discipline bridges the gap between goals and accomplishment. Goals are valuable, but discipline provides the daily fuel to reach them. That’s precisely Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 9. Spiritual victories don’t happen by accident. They are the result of intentional training.
Where should we apply discipline?
#1 We must discipline our minds.
Our thoughts don’t automatically drift toward godliness. They require renewal and direction. Paul’s well-known exhortation in Philippians 4:8 teaches us to focus our minds on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. After all, our thoughts shape our character. As Proverbs reminds us, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
#2 We must also discipline our emotions.
We’ve all watched athletes lose control of their emotions and self-destruct during a game. The same danger exists spiritually. Life will knock us down, disappoint us, and frustrate us. The question is not whether difficulties will come, but how we will respond. Proverbs 29:11 warns against uncontrolled anger, while Paul cautions us about sinful anger (Ephesians 4:26-27) and anxious worry (Philippians 4:6).
#3 We must discipline our habits—especially how we use our time, talents, and treasure.
Paul exhorts us to make the best use of our time (Ephesians 5:15-17). Moses prayed, “Teach us to number our days” (Psalm 90:12). Time is one resource we can never recover once it is spent.
God has also entrusted each of us with unique abilities. Whether our talents seem great or small, they are gifts of His grace, given to be used in serving others (Romans 12:3-8; Matthew 25:14-29).
And we must exercise discipline in the use of our material blessings. Rather than trusting in riches, Paul urges us to trust God, do good, be generous, and be willing to share (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
No athlete drifts into excellence, and no Christian drifts into spiritual maturity. Discipline is developed through intentional choices made day after day.
If we hope to receive the imperishable crown Paul described, we must train intentionally and “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 