In a world obsessed with ease and instant gratification, the call to spiritual discipline sounds outdated and inconvenient. But for the believer, it is absolutely essential.
The Apostle Paul’s words to young Timothy still ring true today: “Exercise thyself rather unto godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). In other words, train yourself for godliness—on purpose, with effort, and with consistency. Paul wasn’t talking about going to the gym; he was talking about strengthening your soul.
Let’s be honest: discipline doesn’t come naturally. It’s not flashy. It won’t trend on social media. But it’s the pathway to real spiritual growth.
God is not looking for perfect people but He is looking for disciplined ones. You won’t drift into holiness. You won’t stumble upon a strong prayer life or accidentally memorize Scripture. The Christian life, like any serious pursuit, demands intentional training. The Greek word Paul uses— gumnazo—is where we get our word “gymnasium.” It implies sweat, effort and repetition. In other words: discipline.
Discipline means saying no to distractions. It means refusing to let your day crowd out your time with God. It means getting serious about your Bible reading, prayer life and personal purity. And yes—it means sacrifice.
Paul compares the disciplined life to that of a focused athlete. “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly… But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection” (1 Corinthians 9:26–27). Athletes train to win; Christians train to walk with Christ.
That training includes daily Scripture: “ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). It includes prayer: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray” (Psalm 55:17).
And it includes cleansing our lives of compromise: “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Discipline is a commitment obey God’s Word. Do those things that God said we ought to do. Refrain from those things that God said not to do.
This kind of discipline produces godliness. It forms habits that promote stability and strength. It turns weak, wavering believers into rooted, grounded disciples. “Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
To be unmovable we need to be grounded and deep rooted. This comes from discipline.
Discipline also prepares you for service. God doesn’t use the distracted and the disinterested—He uses the devoted. As Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
Of course, there are dangers to discipline. Distractions will always tempt you: comfort, the world’s noise, and even spiritual complacency. But Paul warned, “Ye did run well; who did hinder you…?” (Galatians 5:7). Often, it’s not some great scandal or downfall that derails us—it’s small compromises that slowly sap our strength and shake our focus.
But take heart. Discipline pays off. Not just in eternity—but in your daily life. “ Godliness is profitable unto all things,” Paul says, “ having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Peace, purpose, and power from God follow those who walk in spiritual discipline.
Someday, if we live faithfully, we’ll hear those precious words: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). But those words don’t come by accident. They come to the trained, not the lazy. They come to those who are disciplined in their daily walk with Christ.
The old preacher once said, “Discipline is the bridge between desire and devotion.” We can have all the intentions we want, but we need action. We need discipline. If you’re tired of shallow spirituality, of inconsistency, of spiritual crumbs—then it’s time to commit.
Train your soul. Pursue godliness. Live for eternity. Be disciplined and do those things God has told us from His Word to do.
Jimmy Barrett is a resident of Blackshear and pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Waycross.
