6.10.8 "Got Discipline?"

"Got Discipline?"

I Kings 7:1-51
Acts 7:30-50
Psalm 128:1-6
Proverbs 16:31-33

If I were to write a book and put that title on it, I don't think a copy would sell. Who loves discipline? I guess it all depends. If it's an area we enjoy, we are apt to be more disciplined. If you love to play the cello, practicing isn't so terrible. If you love to run, exercise isn't such a nightmare. But overall, self-control can be a challenge.

"it is better to be slow-tempered than famous; it is better to have self-control than to control an army." Proverbs 16:32

I think the first part of the verse is pretty funny. Even back in Solomon's day the tabloids must have picked up on crabby people. But it's the second part of the verse that really caught my eye. We need to have self-control. We need to be disciplined. As you know, discipline is the principle of Empowered through Biblical Training. It is the root of discipleship. We need to be internally strong. This applies to every area of our life.

We need to be disciplined Spiritually. This comes through time in the Word, faithfulness to God's house, committed to small group study and so much more. When we live with a focus on growing in Christ, we align ourselves with activities that serve that purpose. We strain out anything that serves to endanger the spiritual disciplines.

We need to be disciplined Physically. Here's the hypocrite part of today's devo. We need to make sure we are healthy in our bodies. In yesterday's reading in Psalm it spoke of having the discipline to get proper sleep. We need to do that. We need to eat healthier. We need to exercise. This body we have is a resource given to us by God. We need to be good stewards of it.

We need to be disciplined Mentally. We need to grow intellectually. We should be in a constant state of learning. whatever our skill set may be, there's more to learn. I need to be a better piano player. I need to be a better Pastor. I need to study to do those things. I need to gain more information. Whatever your job is, you should be working to be better at it. This is a discipline that aligns with God's word.

We need to be disciplined Emotionally. Emotions are a gift of God, and just like any other gift, they can be misused or abused. "I'm just an emotional person." Is a cop-out. It may be true, but it does not excuse a lack of restraint. Like the first part of today's verse says, we don't want to be "famous" for our lack of discipline in this area. This area includes our affections. We can control what our mind dwells on. "Falling out of love" with things we are commanded to love is a sin. So is "Falling in love" with the wrong things. It takes a discipline of emotions to stop errant feelings early.

All of these things need to be taken seriously. We need to make sure that each area receives our attention in order to live the Balanced Christian Life. In Acts 7, Stephen is still preaching his sermon to the Jewish Council. As part of his history lesson he's talking about how David wanted to build the temple, but God said no. This is what God had said to David. "'what kind of home could you build?' asks the Lord. 'Would I stay in it?'" (Acts 7:49)

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. What kind of home are we building? It takes discipline to build it right. It takes proper measurements, and clean materials. Is God pleased living in you? He can't dwell with impurity. We must be disciplined to cleanse ourselves daily in his Word. No one else can do it for us. No email devotional can replace the time spent in God's Word.

So, "Got Discipline?"



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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