The Fruit of Discipline: Self-Control

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. Hebrews 12:11

Growing up the term “discipline” has always come with a negative and harsh connotation. When we think of someone being disciplined, we think about harsh consequences that come after bad behavior. But really discipline is a gift. When we were disciplined as kids it was because our behavior went against rules that were put in place to help guide us and protect us. Just like any good parent, God disciplines us because He loves us and wants us to become more like Jesus.

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:6

Being disciplined in every area of our lives leads us towards maturity in Christ. God uses discipline to transform us, not harm us. Discipline is an act of love that allows us to grow in self-control. Gentle correction gives redirection to where we ought to be. The results of discipline are worth the delayed gratification. The ability to deny ourselves can only come by being in close connection with Jesus.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.Galatians 5:22-24

Boundaries are usually put in place to protect us just as governmental laws were established so that we would have a healthy and well-functioning country. Just as guardrails are there to prevent a fall, discipline is needed to prevent injury to both ourselves and those around us.

As people, we love to consume, in fact, we actually overly consume. Our country relies on us consuming more than we need so that it can continue to grow selfishly. Thanks to good marketing, discipline has become harder because everything is presented in such an appealing way. When we have no control over our eyes, they can easily lead us further and further into temptation. Remember even Eve ate from the forbidden fruit because it was pleasing to the eyes!

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:6

In our culture, there is no emphasis on the idea of waiting or thinking but instead “do,do do”. Being in a constant state of movement, leaves no room to stop and consider. When we are disciplined, we can think better about how our actions will affect us now. We can also consider how they will affect us later.

Paul talked about the need and importance of self-discipline in Corinthians.

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. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Paul is encouraging us to be strong in our actions. When our flesh wants to do its own thing and follow the ways of the world, we must do whatever it takes to surrender it back to Jesus Christ. And it’s not going to happen easily or just by going with the flow, we have to actively hold ourselves accountable, surrender, and pick up the cross.

If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Matthew 5:29-30

(Although this seems extreme and not meant in a literal manner, it shows how serious God takes self-control and discipline!)

The root meanings of ‘disciple’ and ‘discipline’ are both similar. Discipline generally refers to training, correction, and reproof. It requires a decision to commit oneself to living a life that reflects God’s plan. A disciple is someone who follows Jesus closely and seeks to learn from His ways. They are committed to learning His teachings and intentionally living according to His example. Both terms together remind us that in order to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, which is what we are called to, we must be disciplined in self-control, perseverance, and service.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 2 Peter 1:3-9

There are many different areas that we can be working to become more disciplined in. Some of us need to be more disciplined in our money, our time, our health, our relationships, our spiritual growth, or even just disciplined enough to say no!

God honors our discipline. When we desire to be disciplined, we are showing that we also desire commitment, order, and knowledge. We are telling God that we want to always be the best version of ourselves free from living for our own selfish pleasures.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1

So whatever area of your life you are lacking discipline, it’s time to get serious. You never know how that one thing can be keeping God from releasing whatever he has for you. How can he give you more of anything when you aren’t disciplined enough to handle what you already have? Living a life that produces self- control is a desire God has for each of us and thanks to the Holy Spirit renewing our minds we can create better habits for our lives.

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28

Which area of your life lacks discipline. What action steps can you take be improve?

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