A Disciplined Life

What does a disciplined life look like? There are several ways of looking at a disciplined life. Some people think a disciplined life involves taking care of their physical body, exercise and a healthy diet. That is only a small part of a disciplined life when we look at what the Scriptures have to say about it.

I like what Proverbs 5:12 – 13 in The Message have to say about a disciplined life:

“Saying, “Oh, why didn’t I do what they told me?
    Why did I reject a disciplined life?
Why didn’t I listen to my mentors,
    or take my teachers seriously?”

According to these verses a disciplined life involves listening to the wise counsel from godly mentors and teachers. It means taking the reproof offered and changing our lives to live in accordance with the counsel of those who know and love God. Another verse in Proverbs talks about accepting reproof as a way of gaining knowledge (Proverbs 12:1 [NASB]):

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.”

I’d much rather be one that is characterized by loving knowledge than someone who is stupid because I hate reproof. So accepting the instruction and reproof from godly people is one way to live a disciplined life. Proverbs 19:20 [NASB] puts it this way:

“Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.”

Another aspect of a disciplined life is by living according to God’s Word. There are several verses that talked about living according to the Scriptures. It’s a form of godly discipline to be taught from the Word of God and live according to Its guidelines. Psalm 94:12 [NIV] tells us that those who are disciplined by learning from the law are blessed:

“Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law;”

Along with being taught the Word of God, personal study of the Word is also a sign of a disciplined life. Although it doesn’t mention the word “discipline,” a verse I really like about the importance of studying God’s Word is found in Ezra 7:10 [NASB]:

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.”

So two aspects of living a disciplined life are listening to godly counsel and reproof, and being a learner of God’s laws and commandments. When we do these two things, along with several other spiritual disciplines I haven’t talked about (like prayer, giving, and helping others), the apostle Paul might be able to say the following about us (Colossians 2:5 [NASB]):

“For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.”

That’s what I’m hoping for: good discipline and the stability of my faith in Christ.