Disciplined or disqualified

The words discipline and disciple come from the same root. Early Christians were called disciples. That means they became persons so totally and completely committed to the Christian cause that they were willing to die for it. That, essentially, is the spirit that makes up the word discipline.

Solomon wrote: “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls” (Prov. 25:28). The person who disciplines his body practices faith and doing the right thing, whether it’s through controlling appetite for food or drink, or any other natural physical appetite.
 

 

There are mysterious, intricate, and complex links of body, brain, and soul. Persons who discipline their eating, drinking, and sexual appetites often experience a mysterious upsurge of creativity and a rebirth of spirituality. In contrast, the undisciplined person who “lets himself go” and doesn’t care about proper exercise, physical fitness, or dietary finds his faith becoming “flabby.” Undisciplined is another word for disqualified.

Today you can pledge to discipline your eyes, your ears, your mouth, your stomach, your hands, and your sexual desires. Try it and you would agree with me that it’s really worth it.

With God’s help, bring your body under control. Become a spiritual athlete!

 O di gba kan na.