I recently asked some young people what they thought of when they heard the word “discipline.”

One of them said “hard work.” Another said: “when you get in trouble you get disciplined.” A third said “self-control.”

They had good insights. I was impressed.

Self-control is definitely closely related to discipline. Self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23. It’s also to be added to the cultivation of virtue as seen in 2 Peter 1:6. Elders in the church should be “disciplined” (Titus 1:8).

Here’s a definition that I like to use: Discipline is doing what you should do, not just what you want to do. Granted, there are times when what you want to do and what you should do are the same thing. But there are times when they don’t line up. We need to know the difference.

In the heat of the moment the temptation is to act out. It’s to let our emotions take over, like a monster who jumps behind the steering wheel of our brain. We tend to say or do things we later regret. But someone who is disciplined or self-controlled has, over time, learned to respond instead of react. 

Discipline also has the big picture in mind. I probably “want” to stay up late seven nights a week, watch sports, and stuff my face with potato chips, but it’s not something I “should” do—well, certainly not if I want to be a healthy and energetic father, husband, friend and pastor!

Notice also that the word “discipline” looks a lot like another word: disciple. A genuine disciple needs to pay attention to Jesus. He or she needs to learn from him and then imitate him, trusting that his wisdom is better than my own impulses. All of this requires…

Discipline.

I honestly think the first step it to simply know what it is. Discipline is doing what you should do, not just what you want to do. The step after that is asking God to make it happen.

Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.