Believers are called to live a life of discipline. A life that calls us to pass the many tests of temptation that will try to sway or distract us from God and His will for our lives. 

Even Jesus himself was tested and had to resist temptation while in the wilderness. Despite the temptation that arose, Jesus remained disciplined in His purpose with us in mind. 

Jesus constantly lived an uncomfortable life that required much discipline. He went from being a King to being a servant, to being respected to being disrespected, and more. 

He did all this with keeping the end goal in mind. He did all this still knowing that He would have to die on the cross for our sins to give us a chance at everlasting life.

Now imagine, if Jesus did not choose to have the discipline to come on this Earth to do what He was called to do. Imagine, if He chose not to die on that cross for our sins. Where would we be ? 

Here are 5 Ways to Build

Spiritual Discipline : 

 

1. Make Prayer and Fasting A Lifestyle 

Are you making time to properly prepare your spirit man for what’s ahead ? 

Joel 2:12 states, “ That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” 

Prayer and fasting are both great ways to make room for God to cause a spiritual breakthrough in our lives.  Both prayer and fasting puts us in a position to surrender our flesh and our situation to God. Both prayer and fasting open our spiritual eyes more and strengthen our relationship with Christ. Be sure to make time to pray and fast so God can give you clear direction and insight about your life.

2. Create Boundaries That Center Around Your Purpose 

Self Reflection : Do you have boundaries set up that help make your purpose a priority ? 

Hebrews 12:11-13 states, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”

Jesus was known for setting boundaries. Even him taking time to fast before going forth in His purpose was a boundary that required him to make more boundaries to resist temptation and the tests that came during his fast.

We also see this as he took many opportunities to separate himself from his disciples, to go pray to God early in the a.m. Just like Jesus, we should have procedures and boundaries in place to help us better operate in our purpose. 

3. Study the Word of God to Help Build Discernment 

Are you consistently meditating on the word of God to discern between His way vs. the world’s way ? 

Joshua 1:8 states, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

In the wilderness, Jesus constantly was faced with temptation but fought with his word. The enemy even twisted scripture but Jesus was still able to discern between the truth from the lies Satan wanted him to believe. In this same way, may we take time to study our word so we can discern between what is of God and what is not of Him. 

4.  Be Apart of A Faith Based Community That Helps You Grow Spiritually 

Are you around a group of believers that will support you and hold you accountable and/or are you allowing them to hold you accountable ? 

James 5:16  states , “ Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working..”

It’s so important to get grounded in a church community that can help hold you accountable as you walk with Christ. Accountability is essential to remaining disciplined spiritually. 

We should not be keeping secrets from those who are in our corner. The enemy wants to keep us isolated because it’s easier to get us off track without anyone knowing, but accountability from others pulls us back closer to Christ. 

Make time to find a community that you can trust so you can confess your struggles and receive help to help you remain disciplined . 

5. Be Consistent in Order to Bear and See Fruit 

Are you consistently showing up to wherever God is calling you ? In times where you have been consistent, what fruit did you see? 

Galatians 6:9  states, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

The greatest pattern you can ever have is consistency. Consistency helps build character. Consistency helps build dreams. Consistency helps build God’s Kingdom on Earth.

Life will come with many troubles to throw you off spiritually but may we choose to fight the good fight and remember the beautiful blessings that come when we remain consistent. 

I pray this blog has blessed and encouraged you to build spiritual discipline in your life. 

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