Self-discipline

How does self-discipline help me to grow?

God’s Response

King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king in all the earth. . . . Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. . . . The LORD had clearly instructed his people not to intermarry with those nations, because the women they married would lead them to worship their gods. Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. . . . In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship their gods instead of trusting only in the LORD his God, as his father, David, had done. . . . Thus, Solomon did what was evil in the LORD’s sight; he refused to follow the LORD completely, as his father, David, had done. 1 Kings 10:23, 11:1-2, 4-6

We are given the gift of salvation so that we can grow to resemble Christ and serve others with his love. God wants to produce his character of active love in us, but this requires effort and self-discipline from us. When we make a conscious effort every day to yield our decisions and behavior to the control of God’s Holy Spirit, we can resist temptation and grow spiritually. If we don’t pay attention, we can easily give control over to the Tempter and fall victim to his schemes.

God’s Promise

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7