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DISCIPLINE Works Only Under These Conditions

DISCIPLINE Works Only Under These Conditions

Last updated on: April 22, 2019 at 12:30 am by Eduardo Quintana

DISCIPLINE Works Only Under These Conditions 2019-04-21T22:14:58-05:00 Eduardo Quintana

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Discipline is a word that you hardly hear today. We just don’t use it very much. Discipline has vacated almost every aspect of our lives. We have abolished it from our vocabulary. The word discipline is still used in some circles – such as sports – especially when it comes to Olympians. But in most of our culture it has all but disappeared.

As Christian men, we must understand that discipline is necessary for us to become the men that God created us to be. You cannot be a good husband or a father or a leader unless you are a Godly Man.

Biblical Discipline

Let’s first take a look at the word discipline. The word “discipline” is used throughout the Bible. Thirty six times it is used in the New American Standard version of the Bible. Many of the Proverbs speak of discipline. Verses such as:

“My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12 (NASV)

Proverbs chapter twelve says:

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1 (NASV)

And Proverbs chapter thirteen says:

“Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof will be honored.” Proverbs 13:18 (NASV)

In the New Testament Paul instructs Timothy to,

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” 1st Timothy 4:7 (NASV)

This last verse, I Timothy 4:7 will be our focal point for this series. We are going to be reading a book by R. Kent Hughes called “Disciplines of a Godly Man”. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must look at discipline for the purpose of godliness as a way of life. So let us begin by understanding what discipline is.

Drudgery

First of all, we must understand that discipline is drudgery unless you have a vision or direction.

There was once a six year old boy named Kevin who was sitting one afternoon at guitar lessons. He could hear that outside his window were other boys laughing and running and playing baseball. The boys outside his window were having loads of fun. But not Kevin. He was practicing chords and melodies on his guitar. For Kevin, his guitar lessons were drudgery. Suddenly, an angel came and transported Kevin to Carnegie Hall where a guitar virtuoso is giving a concert. Kevin was amazed how the musician was able to play the guitar with fluidity and grace. Kevin got very excited and enthralled by the concert. As Kevin watched in amazement the guitar virtuoso, the angel asked him, “Do you know who that man is?” “No”, exclaimed Kevin, “But is is fantastic.” The angel told Kevin, “Kevin that musician is you – years from now.” The next thing you know Kevin is sitting back at his guitar lesson. The other boys are still outside playing baseball – but something has changed. Kevin now has a vision. He now has a direction. He now has a goal.

Proverbs chapter twenty nine and verse eighteen says:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

Many Christians don’t catch the vision of discipline because we think of it a drudgery! Nevertheless, we must never forget that discipline is the foundation of discipleship. If we catch the vision for discipline, we will become the men that God created us to be.

The Best of the Best

Discipline is how the best of the best become what they are.

Without discipline, Ernest Hemingway would not have become the author he was. He would spend hours every day writing and rewriting each paragraph of his books until they were “perfect”. It’s well known that Hemingway rewrote his conclusion to “Farewell to Arms” seventeen times in an effort to get it just right!

Without discipline, Michelangelo and da Vinci would not have created the masterpieces we now admire and awe over. Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci on one occasion drew one thousand hands! It’s no wonder we admire the anatomical perfection of his works!

Godliness Does Not Just Happen

We need discipline to become godly men. It doesn’t just happen. You and I are not going to wake up one day and look at ourselves in the mirror and realize we became godly men over night. That is just not going to happen. We need to discipline ourselves and encourage each other as we spend hour after hour training ourselves in godly disciplines.

Every Tuesday Morning we will take a look at what it takes to become the man that God created you to be. We will study what it takes to become a Godly Man. Just remember, you cannot be a good husband or a good father unless you first become a godly man.

Take some time and answer these questions:

1.- Who is your favorite athlete of all times?

2.- How did this athlete become so good at what he did or does?

3.- Have you heard the expression “blood, sweat and tears” and what does that mean to you?

4.- Have you honestly shed any blood, sweat and tears to become the best christian man (husband or father) you can be?

5.- Will you commit to disciplining your life so that you will become a godly man?

6. What are you willing to do to become the man that God created you to be?

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