Some people are put off by religion because they see it as a set of rigid rules and regulations that they have to follow, dismissing the door that it opens to have an incredible relationship with their Creator.
It's true that being a Christian requires you to obey God's instructions on everything from how to treat people to how to show your faith in Him. But believing in Him, accepting His Son as your Saviour and following His guidance on how to live righteously doesn't negate your freedom—it facilitates your freedom instead. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)
All sorts of professionals pride themselves on self-discipline to achieve their potential. Athletes stick to strict diets and workout routines to improve their fitness and competing abilities. Writers have regimens to help them stick to deadlines while entrepreneurs are known for their eye-watering early starts.
Just like those who perform self-discipline to reach athletic and academic goals, we Christians need to exercise our self-control to help us stay on track in pursuit of our spiritual goals of growing closer to Christ and becoming more like Him.
If you're feeling stifled by the thought of disciplining yourself, having difficulty explaining to a friend how essential it is or you just want a brief refresher on how self-discipline impacts your spiritual life, you can meditate on any of these seven Bible verses.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (Pixabay)Proverbs 15:32 – "Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding." (Reuters)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." (Pixabay)2 Timothy 1:7 – "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." (Pixabay)Proverbs 25:28 – "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." (Pixabay)Romans 8:13 – "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." (Pexels)2 Timothy 2:3-5 – "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules." (Pixabay)
