Many of us have spiritual heroes that we admire. We look up to them because of various enviable reasons.
Some played a major role in a great spiritual movement. Others overcame incredible odds to accomplish the impossible. Yet others, it’s because they preached heart wrenching messages that captured and changed our lives forever.
They lived incredibly fruitful public lives. What we don’t see is the immense work they do in their private lives.
When I watch athletic superstars, I admire their skills, passion, and sports IQ. A lot have been said about the natural gifting of these celebrities.
If it’s basketball, the name Lebron James comes into mind. If it’s rugby, my hero is Richie McCaw.
Behind these superstars is the hidden common denominator: Daily Disciplines that they stick to every day.
They wake up early in the morning, follow a strict diet, and have a full-on schedule in the gym. They meet with coaches and listen to advise. The couple of minutes of public competition have been equivalent to thousands of hours in private training.
As boxing legend, Joe Frazier said, “Champions aren’t made in the ring. They are only recognized there.”
Many of us want to live faithful and fruitful lives. We have to be disciplined in various areas for this to become reality.
Below are some “parts of the body” that require careful discipline.
- Discipline your Mouth
It’s very easy to blurt out whatever comes to our mind. Unfortunately, our mouth can be destructive especially when we’re angry and people offend us.
If we discipline our mouth, we will instead say more encouraging words that build up people. We would rather say kind words that the person needs to hear.
- Discipline your Eyes
A lot of temptations arise from what we see. Our sight can cause the sins of lust, greed, envy and pride. If we don’t discipline what we look at, we’ll be prone to compromising thoughts.
Our eyes should instead look at people with love and compassion: that they need to hear the gospel; that they need radical love.
- Discipline your Ears
We will hear gossip wherever we go… in the office, in the church, and even within our family circles. This will only strain relationships because we can take offense from what we heard.
If we listen instead to the people directly involved, many issues will be resolved. Misunderstandings will be clarified, and concerns don’t have to escalate.
- Discipline your Heart
When we are emotionally high or low, we make decisions that we might regret later on. Our unstable emotions cloud our objective thinking.
Putting our emotions in check allows us to determine what is the best course of action. When we do what God’s will is, the right emotions will follow later on.
- Discipline your Mind
Our thoughts can be filled with suspicion, insecurities, and wrong intentions. Even if we’re doing the right external behavior, God looks at “why” we’re doing what we’re doing.
We must discipline our minds so that everything we do is out of the pure motive of pleasing God.
Spiritual maturity won’t happen by accident. Discipline is not very pleasant. But if we are faithful to the process, it will make us fruitful and bless more people.
People might not see these hidden disciplines that we do. But they will eventually benefit from fruitful lives that we live. Make a difference in someone’s life today!
Write down 5 immediate benefits you could experience if you discipline yourself more.
Hebrews 12:11
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Posted on: June 12, 2017
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Discussion Question: What part of your body should you start seriously disciplining? Share your inputs below.