Self-Discipline, A Necessity for the Christian Race

Self-discipline is not just a necessity for the Christian race, it is essential for anyone who wants to attain any goal. Many of us are familiar with the concept of having a new year resolution. And every year, many people make resolutions. Either to start doing something or to stop. For example, a chain smoker may resolve to stop smoking. And a Christian may decide to spend more time in God’s presence. However, most people abandon their resolution so soon into the new year. Not because they were insincere with their intentions. But because often, they lacked the self-discipline required to follow through.

What is Self-Discipline in the Bible?

Literally put, self-discipline is the ability to control ourselves, actions, and reactions.
Merriam Webster dictionary defines self-discipline as the ability to regulate ourselves for the sake of improvements.
Apostle Paul said in the book of Corinthians;

²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV)

Based on the above bible verse, self-discipline entails subduing the flesh for the greater good.

Why is Self-Discipline a Necessity for the Christian Race?

Self-discipline is a necessity for the Christian race if we want to finish the race and receive the associated rewards.

Recall in the post on Christian race and heavenly rewards, I touched on various rewards that are available for the Christian. Not just for any Christian, it is for the Christians who finish well.

As with earthly races, winning comes at a price and it is only those who can pay the price that deserves the prize. The same is true for the Christian race. That is why it is important for every serious Christian to master the art of self-discipline.

This is not a new phenomenon; the bible is full of numerous examples of people who exercised self-discipline.

For example, Joseph the son of Jacob disciplined himself and refused to sleep with Potiphar’s wife despite her persistence. (Genesis 39:7 – 12)

The Apostle Paul disciplined his body and brought it into subjection so that he won’t be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27)

Daniel purposely disciplined himself and refused to eat of the king’s delicacies which was lawful for him to eat. (Daniel 1:8)

Similarly, Esther disciplined herself and observed a fast for her people’s well-being when bad Haman plotted to annihilate all the Jews. (Esther 4:16)

All the above-mentioned examples are just a few of the numerous examples of people who exercised self-discipline in the bible.

And they all did so for a purpose; to reach their goal, to win the race, to end well. Did they achieve their purpose? You bet!

Everyone who Competes for the Prize is Temperate in All Things

In Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, he emphasizes the need for self-discipline by comparing the Christian race with an earthly race. He made the analogy in other to help the church understand the need for self-discipline. And to open our eyes to the inherent rewards of self-discipline.

²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NKJV)

To be temperate in all things means to be disciplined and not be excessive. That is, we should not cast-off restraints, rather, we should embrace such. For the sole purpose of winning the prize.

Example of How Athletes Exercise Self-Discipline

Just as athletes go to great lengths to obtain an earthly crown, we should go to greater lengths to obtain a heavenly crown. #selfdisciplineisamust #Christianrace #selfdiscipline #heavenlyreward Click To Tweet

Since Apostle Paul gave an analogy of the Christian race and earthly races or competitions. I thought it might be a good idea to examine how athletes exercise self-discipline in their quest to win the prize.

And to drive home the point, I have put together this short video clip, part of which was culled from a movie. The movie is titled “The Cutting Edge”.

It is a movie about a figure skater and an ice hockey player who teamed up to perform in a competition. In the movie, the ice hockey player (male) went to great lengths to learn and master the art of figure skating. Similarly, the figure skater (female) endured much pain and almost had her bones broken in a bid to learn a new move. The new move was to be their trump card against all other competitors. Therefore, they practiced hard, night and day just to perfect their move. 

The video below is a snippet of the extent they went to obtain an earthly crown. Not only them, athletes often go to great lengths in pursuit of their goal of receiving the prize in any competition. 

The snippet starts at 4:58 if you want to seek the spot.

Clip credit 4:58 – 6:03 The Cutting Edge DVD from Amazon.

The lady in the video endured pain and persevered just to win the figure skating competition. She did this to obtain an earthly prize, how much more we Christians? As Christians, we are expected to endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3)

To what extent are you willing to discipline yourself and put your body under to win the heavenly prize?

Some Areas You Can Apply Self-Discipline as a Christian

² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV)

1. Maintaining Your Quiet Time

Be disciplined in maintaining your quiet time. Quiet time is the time you seek God through his word and prayers. Scriptures said concerning Jesus that he always rose up early to pray, and often after his sermons, he will retire to a solitary place to pray.

2. Crucifying the Works of the Flesh

Be disciplined in crucifying the works of the flesh in your life and abstaining from sin.

These are the works of the flesh;

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19 — Gal 5:21 (NKJV)

3. Be Focused and Avoid Distractions

Just like in an earthly race there could be distractions, surely in the heavenly race, there are distractions. Maintain your heavenly focus and don’t be distracted.

Some of the things that can distract are the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, persecutions. (Mark 4:19)

Discipline yourself, purpose like Daniel that you will not defile yourself with the king’s meat.

4. Do Not Forsake the Assembly of Brethren

Resist the temptation to think you will do best on your own.

As the saying goes, if you want to go far, go together.

Do not forsake the assembly of brethren (Hebrews 10:24 – 25). Make sure you find people of like minds to constantly fellowship with because;

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17 NKJV)

5. Be Disciplined in the Company You Keep

Willingly give up old friends who will not help you in your aspiration to make heaven.

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)

As with earthly races, winning comes at a price and it is only those who can pay the price that deserves the prize. The same is true for the #Christianrace. #selfdiscipline #heavenlyreward Click To Tweet

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have examined the importance of self-discipline in this post. And established that to achieve any meaningful feat in life, self-discipline is a must-have.

More so, as Christians wanting to run the Christian race and finish well, we need self-discipline.

To further drive home the point, we examined a practical example of how athletes push themselves beyond the limit in order to win an earthly prize.

This is a challenge to us as Christians to go over and above our limits. And to ensure we press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)

May God bless you and me as we do so in Jesus name. Till I come your way next time, remember you are a Royal Diadem. Beautiful in God’s Hands.

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