…On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7b, NASB)
Discipline can help you achieve great things with very little effort. Discipline is binding and enforcing oneself to walk on certain laid-down principles and ways, while destroying every desire and craving to walk outside those principles.
It is very important for us as God’s children to understand some of the spiritual reasons behind the concept of discipline. God made day and night, winter and summer, and various other chronological cycles. All these natural cycles work according to a certain laid-down pattern. Romans 1:20 shows us that we can learn a lot of things from nature. There is a great essence of discipline which nature testifies about the Creator. Even when you see the changes in the climate and the events of the world, all things are taking place in discipline to the prophecies of the Scriptures.
In God’s royalty, it pleases Him to order a decree and then get it executed. He doesn’t just do things randomly. He sets His ways and acts according to His plans. When He promised eternal life and decided to make man, even though He knew that man would sin, He still created man. He was able to perfect His creation through Jesus Christ. Every time you design a plan, a way, or an order — and then walk in it irrespective of the opposing forces — you exercise the victory which God has given to you in Christ Jesus.
God doesn’t want things to just happen in your life. Some people pray that good things should happen to them, but that is an immature approach. God wants you to be the author and designer of all the good things that should ever take place in your life. He has given you the necessary tools for it — His Word, His ways, His anointed ones, and His godly unction have been invested in your life so that you may use them to design discipline regarding every aspect and association of your life.
Living a disciplined life perfects your ability to rule and subdue. Every time you lay out a plan, all the forces of heaven are alerted to back you up and make it a success. But if a person fails to act according to his plan, he confuses the spiritual forces, and then he has to do everything by his own human ability.
God gave fresh manna to His people every morning. In the same way, there is a word for you every day — a portion of grace, an increase, and also a portion of work which the Holy Spirit expects from you so that He may bless it. Failing to be disciplined in life can at times be very costly. Many lose a lot in their lives unnecessarily because they fail to be disciplined. Thank God that He has not kept you in darkness regarding this spiritual understanding.
Praise
My Father, I love You, and I thank You that I have Your nature of discipline in me. As I walk in discipline to exhibit spiritual royalty, I continue to win more and more every day of my life. Thank You that my life is without the frustrations of the world. Oh Father, You have given me more than I could have ever imagined! You are awesome!