A Biblical Man has Self-Discipline

by Ben Joffe

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” -I Timothy 4:7-8

What is the purpose of hard work? A man doesn’t work hard because he enjoys hard work. When a man works hard, it’s because he wants to accomplish something. He wants to perfect a skill like shooting a rifle, or build something useful like a tool shed, or achieve some other worthy purpose. In other words, there is a goal or purpose in mind that drives the hard work. If there is no purpose, the hard work is miserable and meaningless.

A Christian man’s purpose is twofold: to know God (Philippians 3:8) and to glorify God in all that he does (Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 10:31). This purpose is a Christian man’s worthy life-long pursuit. The Apostle Paul described this pursuit like a race in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

Christian men are training for a life of serving God to His glory. The hard work that Paul urges Christian men to pursue is self-discipline. They are to discipline themselves in godliness (1 Timothy 4:7-8). Paul isn’t waiting for godliness to be bestowed upon him; instead, he is actively pursuing godliness. Paul is putting in hard work and self-discipline because he has a worthy purpose!

There are many ways a Christian man can discipline himself in his pursuit of this worthy purpose. He can read, memorize, and meditate on scripture. He can continuously pray for guidance and wisdom in how to serve God best. He can seek out other men in pursuit of the same purpose to encourage him in his training.

Paul understands his self-discipline and hard work in pursuing godliness are only possible in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13). The type of self-discipline necessary to pursue godliness is not natural to us. We need a helper. A Biblical man not only understands the worthiness of pursuing God’s glory, but he also prays for the Holy Spirit to empower his pursuit of godliness to push him towards his purpose of knowing and glorifying God.

Journaling Page on Self-Discipline

Why is self discipline so difficult?

Can you think of a trial in your life in which you’ve had great self discipline?

Other thoughts and scriptures about self-discipline: