Self-Discipline: Underrated and Underused

I’m not a Bible scholar; maybe that’s why there’s a verse of Scripture that really bothers me. You might think it’s a great verse — especially if you thrive on making lists, balancing checkbooks and organizing your spices alphabetically. But you, too, may find 2 Timothy 1:7 challenging: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

I’ll admit I like power. And I’m enamored with love. But for a long time I thought that the self-discipline part would be like Mr. Clean stripping me of all my carefully guarded excuses:

“I’m just not a disciplined person.”

“I thrive on spontaneity.”

“I’m not messy, just creative.” (my favorite)

I like my excuses; they make me comfortable. I like to imagine it’s OK to hold onto them and have Jesus, too.

Lord, are You positive I have the spirit of self-discipline? I usually ask this while searching for a missing item that I stashed in a “safe place” — so safe that only the Almighty knows where. He responds, saying He’s sure that He’s given me what He said He’s given me — so sure that He had it put in writing.

Do I need a list?

So I’ve been wondering about self-discipline — what is it exactly? Is it really a list of external activities to be checked off? And since this verse speaks specifically of the spirit of self-discipline, might it refer to something deeper and more substantial than flossing regularly or sticking with an exercise routine?

As paraphrased in The Message, 1 Timothy 4:8 says, “Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.” Wow, maybe I’ve spent years feeling guilty because I don’t really understand the meaning of self-discipline. Both verses point to a spiritual discipline that reaps eternal benefits.

Jesus demonstrated that self-discipline takes on true significance when linked with the purposeful pursuit of pleasing God. Jesus spent lots of time listening and responding to His Father’s voice. He spoke what He heard from the Father, did what He saw His Father doing and completed the work His Father gave Him (John 5:19; 14:24; 17:4). This type of living requires supreme spiritual discipline; it points away from self-imposed activity to God-directed living.

Mary syndrome

For me, the story of Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha shows self-discipline in action — the example of a calm, self-controlled mind. Mary demonstrated this by sitting and listening to Jesus when there was so much work to be done. She was relaxed and focused, not distracted by lots of other things.

Jesus said that Mary chose what was better (Luke 10:42). She did what was harder because she sought the spiritual amid the demands of the practical. Her discipline wasn’t in accomplishing tasks, but in deciding to spend time with Jesus while others scrutinized her choice. What if we refused to react to the urgency of this life and became listeners of Jesus’ voice?

Don’t you want to live like that? Listening first? Then throughout the day choosing to say no to what is good and yes to what is better? Following Mary’s pattern of self-discipline means doing what’s better even when it’s not easy. It’s being with Jesus, no matter what. Developing this discipline is an unyielding requirement for cultivating a life of righteousness.

I want to invest my minutes pleasing the Lord — not myself, not others. This means taking time to quiet down so I can hear what He is saying to me. Who knows? One day He may tell me that it would please Him if I’d make a list, balance my checkbook, arrange my spices alphabetically or memorize my favorite verse, 2 Timothy 1:7.