| Discipline is very indispensable. Discipline is training or | | | | is to activate it by assertion and practice (2 Timothy 1:7 |
| control, often using a system of punishment that yields | | | | & 1 Peter 5:8). You have to declare by word of |
| obedience, that is, to a set pattern or set of rules. | | | | mouth that, you possess the spirit of self-control and |
| Discipline is the controlled, ordered conduct ensuing | | | | make an effort to live accordingly. Do not ignore |
| from particular training. Here is a sentence, which is an | | | | discipline because by doing so, you are simply |
| example of discipline. ‘The soldiers showed | | | | despising yourself (Proverbs 15:32). In fact to ignore |
| impeccable discipline in battle’. This sentence | | | | discipline is to come to poverty and shame (Proverbs |
| means that in battle the soldiers demonstrated | | | | 13:18). Despising oneself is regarding oneself as |
| significant self-control, order and conformity to the rules | | | | worthless. If you despise yourself, it means that you |
| of battle etc, which must have been a result of | | | | dislike (can’t stand) yourself so much that you think |
| forceful but beneficial treatment/training. The whole | | | | it not worthy to enjoy anything good. How can you |
| essence of discipline is to keep order and adherence | | | | work for personal success or well being if you scorn |
| to the set rules for conduct. Without discipline, there is | | | | yourself? We are all valuable, but our value becomes |
| chaos (disorder, turmoil, confusion or disarray etc). | | | | nothing due to indiscipline or a lack of it. |
| Undisciplined people like to laze around and find | | | | Success comes to those who are self disciplined, to |
| irresistible inappropriate sleep (Proverbs 20:13, Proverbs | | | | those who exercise self-control and embrace |
| 19:15) or unprofitable comfort. Discipline is a vital key | | | | obedience. Learn to control your conduct by means |
| to fulfilling one’s goal(s). Discipline is hard work, | | | | of rules and restrictions based on principle and sound |
| entails some commitment and is not a sweet pie. It is | | | | judgement rather than by mere impulse or the cravings |
| exceedingly valuable. | | | | of life. Do not just do what your friends are doing |
| | | | | without regard to the consequences. Think before |
| I implore you to be disciplined. People who are | | | | acting. A person who has no rule over his life or lacks |
| disciplined tend to be in control of them selves, their | | | | self-control is like a house whose walls are broken |
| time and even other people. When you are in control | | | | down. A wall is important in that it acts as a boundary |
| of self, you are able to limit order and regulate your | | | | or barrier dividing or also enclosing something. In other |
| behaviour, including the way you conduct your work. If | | | | words, it acts as a defence and gives a limit as to |
| you set yourself time to wake up and study or pray, | | | | how far one can go. It defends against unnecessary |
| you need to train yourself to obey that rule. Being self | | | | intrusions. Without self-control, you are defenceless, |
| controlled means that you will order or instruct your | | | | are at anyone’s command and liable to dance to |
| self to follow that particular setting. Be able to order | | | | anyone’s tune anytime anyhow. As a result of it, |
| yourself to diligently study regardless of circumstances. | | | | Satan is rewarded the freedom to tempt you knowing |
| Do not allow circumstances to dictate your life. More | | | | that you will with no trouble give in to the temptation |
| often than not, your flesh will be weak and reluctant to | | | | (1corinthians 7:5). It means you lack the firmness to |
| fulfil serious life objectives or any other goal that | | | | obey the revealed yardstick to your conduct, in any |
| establishes you as a successful individual. For example, | | | | circumstance, set by the word of God or by yourself |
| take prayer and fasting i.e. abstaining from food for | | | | in line with the word of God. People who are disciplined |
| religious purposes. These are awesome acts that the | | | | have the ability to focus on their goals, and consistently |
| flesh would adamantly oppose though quite beneficial | | | | stay within their priorities. Young men and women |
| to one’s spiritual life. However, discipline will enable | | | | especially are encouraged to be self-controlled (Titus |
| your body to obey your willing spirit. Learn to be | | | | 2:6) because they are strong and as well vulnerable. |
| self-disciplined. | | | | Learn to occasionally deny yourself certain deeds |
| | | | | such as sleep, play etc and commit to study or |
| A story is told of Christopher Parkening, a distinguished | | | | fulfilment of a particular significant objective. This may |
| classical guitarist who by the age of 30 had become a | | | | appear, as punishment but it comes with considerable |
| master of his instrument. However, that mastery did | | | | benefits. Willingness to do something is quite a good |
| not come cheaply and effortlessly. Christopher spent | | | | thing. But without discipline (self-control or obedience) it |
| several hours a day practicing the guitar whilst other | | | | can be very devastating. |
| children played around. You see that was some kind | | | | |
| of punishment. Rather than enjoy playing around, as | | | | Many people have an enviable willingness to do things. |
| the body likes to do, he was confined to something | | | | This willingness however, must be combined with |
| that for that moment did not seem beneficial. Such | | | | discipline. That is why the bible says that if you are |
| self-disciplined commitment produced a proficiency that | | | | willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land |
| few can equal. I have heard it said that if you do | | | | (Isaiah 1:18). Discipline bears endurance. If you are |
| something whether bad or good, consistently (again | | | | disciplined, you will endure difficulties especially those |
| and again) for 21 days, it becomes part of you-a habit. | | | | that tend to come between you and your goal. Jesus |
| God has made you in such a way that you can do all | | | | endured insults and beatings not only because he was |
| things if you purpose in heart and put your mind to it. | | | | focused on the ultimate goal and glory ahead of him, |
| Nothing would be impossible to him that believes. Many | | | | but also because he was disciplined. When you train |
| people lack the practice of consistency. Their lives are | | | | yourself to remain calm and controlled under fire, it |
| littered with many unfinished (uncompleted) projects. | | | | means you will develop the courage and peace not to |
| They easily give up as soon as the going gets tough | | | | retaliate (react with insolence and vengeance). Rather |
| and when short-term benefits are not forth coming. | | | | you will respond with gentleness. You will not insult |
| | | | | back when insulted. Jesus is our example (1 Peter 2: |
| We cannot talk about discipline without reference to | | | | 22- ). Discipline brings peace and delight to the soul |
| obedience or self-control because these are what | | | | (Proverbs 29:17) and in it there is hope (optimism). |
| embody the whole act of discipline. In fact in the bible, | | | | Never disregard discipline in your life lest you come to |
| obedience sums up self- discipline. To be self-disciplined | | | | failure. Do not overlook this important component of |
| is to stay within the limits or confines of God’s law | | | | success lest you come to poverty and shame |
| by avoiding evil. To be a disciplined person requires | | | | (Proverbs 13:18). Train yourself to obey, to control self, |
| that you are self-controlled. Self-control is not | | | | to do or not to do certain things, because you may die |
| something you pray for. You already have it because | | | | for lack of discipline (Proverbs 5:23). God bless you as |
| God has before now given it to you and all you need | | | | you exercise discipline for with it comes progress. |