Discipline (The key to victory)

Christian Overcomers

Discipline
By Ben Heath

Discipline is the key to the success of any military force in a battle against an enemy. So it is with
the spiritual battle that we are in. Each of us, if we plan to succeed in conquering evil must
practice self-discipline.

In fact, to be a “disciple” means to be disciplined in the Word of God and the conduct of our daily
life.

Now being disciplined doesn’t mean we should become religious fanatics or some separatist
hiding out on a compound or something like that.

But as Christians we are all students or “disciples” of God’s Word. We stay focused on God’s
Word, we live orderly, and we control our flesh to the best of our ability so we “may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:12) Of course none of us are perfect, only
Christ was. But lack of discipline leads to chaos and disorder, which unfortunately has become
the spiritual state of a great many of our churches. They have not disciplined themselves in the
Word of God chapter by chapter and verse by verse and have left themselves defenseless
against the tactics of the enemy.

Furthermore, living an undisciplined life leads to misery and destruction as taught by Jesus:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads

destruction, and there are

many who

go in by it. Because narrow is the

gate and difficult is

the way which leads to life, and there are

few who find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

The narrow gate is the way of discipline while the wide gate is the way of no discipline. Those who
remain disciplined and focused on the Commandments of God and the Teachings of Jesus Christ
find life. But those who follow their own ways and define for themselves what is right and wrong
find destruction.

While I was serving with my Army unit in Iraq, a Sergeant Major said something to us that I’ll never
forget which relates very well to this verse. He told us to, “CHOOSE THE HARD RIGHT OVER
THE EASY WRONG.”

It is hard for us at times to pick the “right way” over the “wrong way” because many times it just
seems easier to do the wrong thing. However in the long run, picking the easy wrong over the
hard right leads to failure and misery. But if we constantly discipline ourselves to do the hard right
over the easy wrong we will be successful in overcoming evil and live a blessed life. When it
comes down to it, Discipline means to form good habits.

We live in a generation today where it seems that most people are always looking for the quickest
and easiest way.

When it comes to Christianity, many think that just showing up every Sunday morning will get
them into Heaven. When it comes to making money, many seem to think that it doesn’t matter
how you get rich it is how fast you can get rich, so they follow all kinds of “get rich quick”
schemes. When it comes to Politics many believe the lies of the “Socialist Left” promising them
that the Government can take care of all their needs and that they shouldn’t have to work so hard.

Again, it is much easier to pick the “wide gate” over the “narrow gate” but there is one problem.
The easy way eventually leads to destruction.

Self discipline includes setting goals in life and having a purpose. When you know what you want
to achieve it’s a lot easier to get there than if you don’t know where you are going. Not having a
purpose or a plan in life causes one to wander around aimlessly.

As Christians, we all have an overruling mission in life – TO SERVE GOD AND TO CONQUER
EVIL. This is our primary purpose.

Many think that our purpose is to make it to heaven, and some don’t care if they barely make it as
long as they just make it through the door. We are servants of God and He has work for us to do.
Making it to heaven is a reward for conquering evil it is not our primary goal. God put his servants
on this earth for a reason, just as he chose the Israelites to cleanse the Promised Land of its
wickedness and to set up a Kingdom. That Kingdom was supposed to be a light and an example
to the rest of the world, not to just to sit idly by while wickedness spread across the world.
(Exodus 19:6)

And we should constantly discipline ourselves to stay focused on that purpose.

By Truth Publishers Inc.

Standing against Evil!

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and
broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there
are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the
gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and
there are few who find it."
--Matthew 7:13-14