Proverbs 25:28
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
Scripture explicitly instructs us to train ourselves to take disciplined action in response to the word of God and the promptings of the Spirit. This “training” is the process of discipleship and spiritual growth.
In many places, the Bible describes what God has done and is doing, but scripture also makes it very clear what we must do. Please read the following scriptures and note how clearly they describe the action we are to take in pursuit of spiritual growth.
“Train yourself in godliness.” (1 Timothy 4.7)
“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.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
“Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” (2 Peter 1.5-7)
“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” (Colossians 1:28-29)
Disciplined practice is essential for growth and skill-building of any kind. This is the way God has designed his world to operate, and it is also true when it comes to life in Christ. We must train ourselves. The Spirit of God is actively, supernaturally, and powerfully involved in the process, but that does not mean we are to be passive. In response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we must intentionally and actively train ourselves. It is through repetitive and disciplined action that we form proper habits; we can—we must—intentionally choose those habits that are necessary for the formation of Christian character. Skill and momentum are built through a steady obedience.
Trust God, work the process, and invest the time.
