Discipline is a difficult subject.  It’s something we need in our lives whether we like it or not.  Why?  The Bible has the answer.  Because of Adam’s fall and the subsequent corruption of mankind, human beings have had the tendency to what Paul calls living in the flesh.  Of course we know the flesh is corrupt and has no good thing in it.  (Romans 7:18), and if someone is not born again, their mind and spirit is in the same boat.

 Let’s examine a few scriptures to see what God’s word has to say about discipline.  Prov. 1:7,  “The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.”   Prov. 5:22-23.  “The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast.  He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.”

Contrast this with the benefits of discipline.  Prov. 6:23.  “…For these commands are a  lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life…”   Prov. 10:17, “He who heeds discipline shows the way to life…” 

If we are born again and live in the flesh, we are undisciplined.  The secret to not walking in the flesh becomes one of being a disciplined person.  One of the inmates in jail we ministered to began catching on to this and said, “I’m learning to rebuke my flesh.”  If he keeps that up once he is released, he’ll never be back again.

So this is powerful stuff.  To be a disciple of Jesus Christ we must be disciplined to who he is and what he taught.  He told the disciples in John 8:31-32.  “… If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”    So we can’t just know the truth, the implication is this involves acting on what we know. 

Since this will involve going against our flesh, discipline is going to be required.  There are two kinds of discipline and God can use either one.  The first involves our being corrected by someone else.  Jesus said in Rev. 3:19,  “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline” (NIV).   God disciplines his children first through bringing us under conviction.  In John 16:8 Jesus talking about the coming of the Holy Spirit explains it, “When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment.”  Conviction in this case is a knowing inside us we need to make some changes.  If we fail to respond to that then he simply has no choice but to remove his hand of blessing from us and let the consequences follow.  Deut. 31:16”…On that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed.” (NIV).  

 Let’s deal with the problem before it gets to that point.  In fact, right now let’s start examining ourselves and search out those areas of the flesh we need to discipline.  This is what is called self-discipline and dealing with a situation before it becomes a problem the devil can use to destroy us. 

So how do we go about this important thing of developing self-discipline in our life?  Like all spiritual battles, the battle takes place in the mind.   Proverbs 23:7,  “For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he…”  Psychology doesn’t have the answer.  This is demonstrated by statistics showing rehab centers have only about a 20% success rate. 

Psychology fails to understand the Biblical truth that we are spirit, mind, and body.  Discipline must address the spiritual condition, as well as a flesh problem, and realize the battle is spiritual but takes place in the mind.

I’d suggest the first thing we do is to get the knowledge and importance of self-discipline planted deep within our spirit.  We’ve already established in prior lessons that you will consistently act on what you believe, even if it’s wrong.  Secondly, our experience with the results of being undisciplined should prove to us only more of the same disaster lies ahead if we don’t change.   

Next, let’s take one thing at a time.  God can deliver you from an addiction it’s true, but most of the time developing self-discipline is going to be our responsibility.  Build some structure and a plan or schedule into your life regarding self-discipline.  Your road map to this plan will be God’s word.    Psalms 119:105.  Tells us,  “Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”   If the word says bad company corrupts good character  (1 Cor. 15:33), resolve not to get involved with old so called “friends” who lead you down the wrong path.  Enlist the aid of other Christians to help you in your plan.

How many times do we have to let the devil come to steal, kill, and destroy our lives (John 10:10), before we discover the ways of the Lord are much better?   Take your pick.   Proverbs 5:23  warned us the fool will die for lack of discipline.   But he who heeds discipline shows the way to life.  Prov. 10:17).