“But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers” (1 Timothy 4:7-10).
People often talk about developing good habits, such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, and reading more books. Turning worthwhile practices into habits can be incredibly helpful because it allows us to do the good things we intend to do without having to decide to do so each time. This does not mean the practice becomes automatic, but we are much more likely to do good when we have made it a habit.
This can also benefit our spiritual lives, helping us grow to spiritual maturity. As Paul pointed out in the passage above, this is much more important than any discipline we develop in this life. However, to have effective habits, we need to be intentional about them and willing to put in the effort to actually DO them.
Also, these habits we can put in place to develop spiritually are things that each one of us can do, whether someone is a new convert, has recently been restored to the faith, or has been faithfully serving the Lord for decades. At the same time, no one can do these things for us.
So let us consider some spiritual disciplines – regular practices that will help our spiritual development and produce godliness in our lives. For each one, we see what the Lord expects of us, the benefits we gain from these practices, our personal responsibility to engage in each one, and some practical ways to help us stay consistent in doing them.
Bible Study
We are expected to study the word of God in order to know what He has revealed to us. Paul told Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The Bereans were commended for studying “daily” in order to know the truth (Acts 17:11).
The benefit of studying the Bible is that it prepares us to do what is right. Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If we want to do what is good, the Scriptures show us what that is and how to practice it. But more than that, the word of God is “able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Peter told Jesus, “You have words of eternal life” (John 6:68). By studying the Bible, we learn about the way of salvation.
Studying the Bible is something we are personally responsible for doing. Remember what Paul told Timothy: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God…” (2 Timothy 2:15). The “noble-minded” Bereans searched the Scriptures for themselves rather than blindly trusting Paul. We can benefit from the teaching of others, but we need to make sure we are spending time in the word of God for ourselves.
How can we make this a regular practice? We can follow a Bible reading plan so we do not have to decide what to read each day. We should keep a Bible handy so it is always there when we are ready for it. We can take notes to help us remember, process what we read, and deepen our understanding of the text.
Prayer
Paul told the brethren in Thessalonica, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This does not mean that Christians are in constant prayer from when they awake in the morning until they fall asleep at night. Instead, it emphasizes that prayer is to be a regular practice.
Yet prayer is not just something we must do; it is something we benefit from as well. Paul wrote, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Praying in the proper way allows us to have a peace that we could not obtain otherwise.
When Jesus taught about prayer, He expected His followers to do this regularly (“When you pray…” – Matthew 6:5-6). While others may pray for us (cf. Acts 8:24; James 5:16), that does not relieve us of the need to pray for ourselves. James wrote, “Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray” (James 5:13). Paul told the brethren in Colossae, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).
How do we make this a regular practice? We can pray at regular times so that it becomes a recurring part of our schedule. We can also pray at a moment’s notice whenever the thought of prayer occurs to us. We can also keep a list of things to pray for (those who are sick, decisions we are contemplating, etc.) so that these important matters do not slip our minds.
Meditation
The psalmist wrote, “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). If we love God’s law (His word), we should be meditating on it beyond just the times when we are actively reading it. Paul also told the brethren in Philippi, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8). God’s people are to have a habit of thinking on spiritual things.
Meditating on God’s word increases the benefit we gain from our Bible study. Notice what the psalmist wrote immediately after he said he meditated on God’s law: “Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts” (Psalm 119:98-100). By reading, studying, AND meditating on the word of God, he was able to surpass others in terms of wisdom, insight, and understanding.
Obviously, this is something we must do ourselves. Our thoughts are our own, as Paul wrote, “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?” (1 Corinthians 2:11). Others can impart information to us, but they cannot process it for us.
How do we make this a regular practice? We can dedicate quiet time in our schedules to this practice. With the busyness, distractions, and technology of our modern age, this is increasingly challenging, so we must be intentional about it. We can also use notes we took during Bible study to help us reflect upon the teachings found in God’s word.
Assembling
The Hebrew writer spoke of “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some” (Hebrews 10:25). Rather than developing the habit of missing the assembly, we are to make it a regular practice to assemble with our brethren for worship and Bible study.
However, we should not view assembling with the church as a chore. Instead, there is a great benefit we can gain from it. Notice the context of the Hebrew writer’s comment about the assembly: “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). When brethren come together, they can be “encouraged together…each…by the other’s faith” (Romans 1:12).
As Paul explained to the brethren in Corinth when he wrote about the Lord’s Supper, they were to “wait for one another” (1 Corinthians 11:33), which means that members are expected to be there when the church assembles if it is at all possible for them to be. Each part of the body is important (1 Corinthians 12:14-20); therefore, we should not think that it is unnecessary for us to be there with our brethren.
How do we make this a regular practice? It simply comes down to making it a recurring part of our schedule. We plan to be there by making sure other obligations do not interfere and by making the necessary preparations to arrive on time and ready to participate. We should not have to decide every Sunday whether we will assemble with the church. We should have already made that decision for every Sunday in the future.
Holy Living
Peter quoted from the Law of Moses to remind Christians that God’s people are to be “holy…in all [their] behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). This includes preparing “for action” and being “obedient children” (1 Peter 1:13-14). Holiness requires practicing what is right in every area of our lives.
The benefit of living holy lives is that we enjoy fellowship with God. John wrote, “If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Not only this but by doing what is right we also avoid the pitfalls of sin. The wise man said, “Good understanding produces favor, but the way of the treacherous is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). By keeping ourselves from sin, we do not have to suffer the negative consequences of sin.
It is up to us to make the decision to pursue holiness. Paul wrote, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1). We offer our lives to the Lord; no one can do that for us.
How do we make this a regular practice? We must look for opportunities to do good (Galatians 6:10). We need to develop the habit of looking for the way of escape that God has promised will be there when we are tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13). We must be comfortable being different instead of being conformed to the world (Romans 12:2). We also need to look to Jesus and strive to follow His perfect example (1 Peter 2:21-23).
Conclusion
We are to “discipline [ourselves] for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). This involves knowing what is right (godliness), being intentional about doing what is right (discipline), and putting in the effort (“labor and strive” – 1 Timothy 4:10). No one can do these things for us, but each of us is capable of doing them for ourselves. If we do, the reward promised by the Lord will be realized in the “life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
Let us work to develop our faith, grow in godliness, and become stronger in the Lord so that we can please Him.
