Godly Disciplines

Lesson 8 of 12 in the Man of God series

A young man wanted to get stronger, so he joined a gym. For the first week, he showed up every day, lifting weights, running on the treadmill, and even trying out a fitness class. But by the second week, he got busy. By the third week, he was only showing up once. By the fourth week, he stopped altogether. Months later, he looked in the mirror and wondered why nothing had changed.

It’s not enough to just sign up for the gym. Strength only comes through steady, disciplined training. The same is true for our walk with God.

The first four lessons in our study focused on how important it is to LOVE God, others, ourselves, and truth. Lessons 5 through 7 covered concepts that men of God should LEARN like confident humility, forgiveness, grace, mercy, responsibility and accountability. The next few lessons will point out traits that man of God should aspire to DEVELOP.

“By now you should be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the first lessons of God’s message. You still need the teaching that is like milk. You are not ready for solid food.” – Hebrews 5:12

This scripture reminds us that men of God are expected to develop or grow in our faith. Are you not where you should be spiritually? Join the club. Don’t feel bad. An immature Christian who recognizes he has room for growth is much further along than the “mature” Christian who thinks he has it all figured out. The good news is most spiritual growth will develop naturally as a result of walking with the Lord. However, we can take certain, deliberate actions to strengthen our relationship with God and cultivate our own spiritual development. We call these spiritual or Godly disciplines.

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Part 1: Discipline What You Do

Spiritual disciplines are acts of worship and healthy habits that keep us close to God and growing in Him. Think of them like exercise. No one gets stronger by accident. Growth takes training.

“Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:7–8

What are some of these disciplines?

• Prayer – Regular communication with God.

  • “Never stop praying.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

• Bible study – Filling our minds with truth.

  • “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105

• Fasting – Setting aside physical desires to depend more fully on God.

  • “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do…” – Matthew 6:16

• Worship – Lifting our hearts to honor Him, not just on Sunday but in every moment.

  • “So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

• Service – Using our time and gifts to bless others.

  • “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” – 1 Peter 4:10

Which of these disciplines comes easiest to you? Which is hardest? Why?

These aren’t “religious chores.” They’re lifelines. They help us stay rooted when life gets busy or storms hit.

Part 2: Discipline Who You Are

Godly disciplines aren’t just about outward actions; they’re also about inward character. Who we are in private shapes who we become in public.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” – Psalm 139:23–24

Some inward disciplines include:

• Self-examination – Inviting God to reveal blind spots and sins we might ignore.

• Humility in correction – Receiving rebuke without pride or defensiveness.

  • “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” – James 4:6

• Guarding motives – Asking, "Am I doing this for God’s glory or my own?"

• Consistency – Choosing steady faithfulness over emotional highs and lows.

  • “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22

When we discipline who we are, we stop being Sunday-only Christians and start living as everyday disciples.

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Conclusion

A man of God develops godly disciplines. He disciplines what he does—through practices like prayer, study, fasting, worship, and service. And he disciplines who he is—by cultivating humility, purity of heart, and steady obedience.

Godly disciplines don’t make God love us more, but they do make us more like Him.