What comes to your mind when you hear the term “disciplined life”? Does it have a positive or negative meaning for you? The disciplined life has always caught my attention, especially after I noticed that proponents of the causal theory are usually very organized and strive for excellence in achieving their intended goals. They are filled with the desire to become the best they can be.
Famous athletes are a good example of this. Their disciplined lives are necessary to realize their true potential. In the Bible, the apostle Paul used the analogy of sports. He wrote: «…but I subdue and enslave my body, so that when I preach to others, I may not become unworthy myself» (1 Corinthians 9:27). Many professions have followed a similar approach, setting exceptionally high standards for their goals. Being mediocre is not “good enough” for many of us. We want to be the best or at least among the best in our chosen profession.
To be truly disciplined is to become committed to a way of life. This deep commitment becomes synonymous with the journey we reach. Over the many years of following Jesus Christ, desiring to align my faith with practical living, I have come to believe that this requires first and foremost a focus on trusting God. This is even above the needs of others and my own personal needs. I also realized that it cannot happen naturally because our self-centered human nature tends to constantly get in the way. It requires a supernatural, life-changing power when we encounter Christ that strikes us to the core. This change began for me many years ago, but my spiritual transformation continues to this day.
Like achieving excellence in my profession, the Christian life also requires considerable discipline – certainly in devotion to the cause of Christ, but also in professional practice. This is true for the CEO of a company, department managers, sales representatives, and support staff. Regardless of what is performed, devotion to Jesus should affect our attitude toward life and work.
This applies even to kings. In Psalm 86:1-4, King David of Israel prays: «Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear me, for I am poor and destitute. Preserve my soul, for I am in awe of you; save me, O my God, your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call upon You every day. Cheer up the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul». Do you feel the devotion and dedication of King David?
As a business, professional person, are you filled with a desire to please God in your work? If so, make sure that your life, which will lead to pleasing Him, is disciplined. In most cases, He does not expect us to live in monasteries or give up our possessions. In fact, He requires us to put Him first and others above our own needs.
No matter how disciplined we are, we all slip up and give in to temptation from time to time. Fortunately, those who follow Christ are promised a way to get back on the path God wants to lead us on. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we are told, “You have been tempted by no other than human temptation; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength, but will also give relief when you are tempted, so that you may be able to bear it.” Paul continues in the next two verses: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak to you as to those who reason; reason for yourselves about what I say.” This, as you realize, requires discipline and dedication.
© 2023. All rights reserved. Jim Langley is a thirty-something writer who works as a life and health insurance agent. In recent years, his passion has been to write about his relationship with God. His goal is to encourage others to draw closer to Him. As a longtime member of CBMC, he began writing Fourth Quarter Strategies in 2014.
Questions for reflection/discussion
- How would you define the word “discipline”? When you hear about it, do you see it in a positive sense or does it have a negative meaning for you? Explain your answer.
- What do you think a disciplined life looks like? Do you think you are living a disciplined life right now? Why yes or why no? Can you think of someone you know (or have heard of) who lives (or has lived) a truly disciplined life? If so, what was notable about that person?
- How do you think a disciplined spiritual life can be applied to a professional life? Do you think the two should be interrelated at all? Why yes or why no?
- If someone found out that they were not particularly disciplined in any or most areas of their life, what first steps do you think they could take to develop rules of behavior?
NOTES. To learn more about what the Bible says about this topic, consider the following passages: Deuteronomy 5:28-29; Proverbs 21:5; Matthew 22:34-40; John 21:18-19; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Difficult task
How would you evaluate your life in terms of discipline? If you think you are not where you want to be, what could you do today to begin to lead a more disciplined life professionally, personally, and spiritually? Who do you know who could help in this endeavor? If you think you are a reasonably disciplined person, is there anyone for whom your experience might be helpful?