Self discipline

Bible verse for today: 2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)

There are many definitions of the word 'discipline', but we'll like to pick " to train in self-control". Having self-control over your mind and body isn't is easier said than done. This is why as a Christian, you must be deeply rooted in the word of God.

The word of God is a foundation upon which your thoughts and actions should be built. Constant training with the word of God, ensures your mind and body don't contradict what you stand for as a Christian.

The Word for Today devotional by United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) says:

You will never be any better, wiser or happier than the thoughts that influence you. You say, ‘I can’t help it; these thoughts just come into my mind.’ Yes, you can! ‘The weapons we fight with…have divine power to demolish strongholds…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ’ (vv. 4-5 NIV). A ‘stronghold’ is a thought-pattern that controls you. It could be fear, greed, inferiority, lust, etc. It’s a ‘stronghold’ because it holds you strongly in its grip. How do you break that grip? With God’s Word. For example, when fear and inadequacy tell you you’re not good enough to succeed, become proactive and say, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).

If your immediate goal is to ‘feel good’, you’ll never develop self-control. ‘For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it…’ (Hebrews 12:11 AMP). Discipline doesn’t bring immediate joy, but it brings lasting joy later on. Note the words ‘trained by it’. You must train your mind to go the right way; otherwise it’ll take you the wrong way. God says, ‘…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…’ (Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV). God gives you choices. But He won’t make your choices for you; you must do that. In order to walk in God’s blessing each day, you must choose the right thoughts each day, and the longer you keep doing it the easier it will become. You’ve just got to get through the ‘training’ period.