Act 24:16 Amp.
Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavouring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offence toward God and toward men.
The word discipline in Greek means Paideia which is translated as:
1. The whole training and education of children Eph 6:4.
2. Whatever in adults to cultivates the soul, especially by correcting mistakes and curbing the passions.
3. Instruction which aims at the increase of virtue: 2 Tim 3:16.
4. Chastisement, chastening Heb 12:5.
Discipline dictionary meaning:
Discipline [n.]: Training to act in accordance with established rules; accustoming to systematic and regular action; drill.
Discipline [n.]: Subjection to rule; submissiveness to order and control; habit of obedience.
Discipline for me is a one-way path- YOU. You are totally responsible for your discipline. I can't forget this word from secondary school our principal asks us to write - "DISCIPLINE IS THE FIRST STEP TO SUCCESS" on a sheet of paper, we are to always keep it in our pocket. With the instruction that anyone found without the paper containing the inscription, will be beaten. Many of us then for the fear of being beaten adhere to the instruction, however, our heart was not in it. Until one day I saw meaning in it and decided to subject myself to the training.
DISCIPLINE is key to make heaven or to be successful in life. It is a life subject, we cannot do without it in any area of our existence.
Paul's discipline mode:
1. Mortifying his body by denying his body of what it wants.
2. Mortifying his body by pressing his body hard to gain control over it.
3. Mortifying his body by exercising his body to do what it originally will not do.
4. Mortifying his body by giving less time to the gratification of the body.
Discipline is subjection or submissiveness to something. No matter how much effort is put to train, if you don't submit to the training there is no discipline.
Paul was an outsider when it comes to being a follower of Christ but he became the major trumpets through which the name of Jesus got to the world through his submission and subjection.
Submission and subjection demands:
1. Humility
2. Self-constraint/control
3. Self-denial/punishment
4. Self-focus
5. Force or push
Are you ready to follow the path of Paul as we keep pressing towards heaven? Press on, push ahead, as we keep looking unto the second coming of Jesus Christ.
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