Step Forward: Exercise Self-Discipline

Step Forward:
Everyone Has a Next Step

INTRODUCTION:
“Self-discipline” is the correction or government of one’s self for the sake of improvement. It refers to self-development. Self-discipline includes self-control relative to our bodies, our desires, and our urges. “Sobriety” refers to self-discipline of the mind and, of course, our mind controls the body.

For a Christian, one who is a disciple of Christ, self-discipline is for more than self-improvement. It is for the sake of loyalty to our Master. Lobstein wrote: “If you would learn self-mastery, begin by yielding yourself to the One Great Master.” And Augustine said, “Would you have your flesh obey your spirit? Then let your spirit obey God.” And the Lord said it this way, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

To deny ourselves is to so completely subordinate ourself to Christ as not to allow selfish interests or natural motives and impulses to be followed if they come into conflict with loyalty to Jesus Christ - even if it means death. The cross, of course, was not a symbol for carrying some burden but it was a symbol of death. We are to take up our cross, our willingness to die to ourselves or die to our family or die to our friends, and daily, and follow Jesus who bore His cross at least part of the way to Golgotha.

The reward, Jesus says, is that we “save” our lives. If we were to “save” our life by denying Christ’s teachings, then we have forfeited our entrance into the eternal kingdom. Look further at what Jesus says in Luke 9:24-25…

Self-discipline and Christian development is, therefore, a matter of eternal life and death.

Let’s begin in 1 Timothy 4:12 - This requires self-discipline. It might be required more in younger Christians than in older Christians. Regardless, we are to be examples to others. So self-discipline is not only for our sake, but also for the sake of others. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an example is worth 10,000 words.

Let’s meditate on some examples…

DANIEL 1:8-16:
This is an example of self-discipline and conscientiousness that seems to have stirred the admiration of both the prince of the eunuchs and the steward. It was a trait that characterized Daniel all his long life, so that he served not only under Nebuchadnezzar, but also under Darius the Mede and into the first year of Cyrus the Persian after the empire passed to the Medes and Persians.

The key to Daniel’s self-discipline in found in the expression: “Daniel purposed in his heart.” That’s where self-discipline takes place.

ROMANS 14:21:
All of Romans 14 develops the theme Paul mentions in verse 1.

Paul gives two examples of what he is talking about:

1) What you eat;
2) Celebrating different days.

What to do in case of the disagreement is dependent on the principle of expediency and love.

There are simply matters of indifference. They are lawful but not mandatory.

Regardless, the mandate is this: Let us not judge one another any more; but judge this rather… let no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling. If someone has a conscience against eating meat, he sins if he eats. If through our example, taunts or pressure otherwise he eats and violates his conscience, we have caused him to stumble, and have therefore sinned ourselves.

It is not a matter of strength to treat another this way! “We that are strong ought to bear the infirmity of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (15:1).

1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27:
Paul has discussed a number of rights and privileges he had foregone in order to benefit and save as many others as possible. And he closes by stating that he buffets his body and brings it into subjection, not simply for the benefit of others, but to assure his own salvation. He did not believe that once saved, always saved necessarily. He believed he could yet be rejected. And one way to do it would be to so yield to appetite, say for meat and wine, that he would not leave it off for the sake of others.

When we realize that this is also the climax of chapters 8 & 9, and likewise a part of a discussion that does not end till the close of chapter 10, we see this emphasis all the more clearly.

8:12-13. Not to exercise self-discipline so as to do this, he believed would result in his own condemnation.

The thoughtful Christian exercises self-discipline not only for the sake of personal improvement, but for the sake of the Master, for the sake of his influence over others for good, and for his own salvation.

Take home message: As Christians, practicing self-discipline isn't just a personal goal - it's a way to show our commitment to our faith and positively impact those around us. Let's strive for excellence in all that we do.