Disciplines for Godliness

1Timothy 4

“But have nothing to do with worldly 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” 1Timothy 4:7, 8, NASB).

This article is about spiritual disciplines. It is motivated by two incidents that took place recently. First, on Tuesday night pastor Marble starts a new series for our bible study. He tells us that it will be a course of about ten weeks on spiritual disciplines. If we want to live our best life from a biblical worldview, we will need to develop spiritual discipline.

I first became acquainted with spiritual disciplines while taking a course on communication in my seminary training. The greatest benefit for me was learning areas in my Christian journey in which I was doing okay. I also learned area in which I was pretty weak. I was doing fine when it comes to bible reading and study. On the other hand, I was not doing too well in my prayer life. I am still working on this discipline. In seminary we studied from a book written by Donald S. Whitney, (Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress, 1993). Whitney gives us ten disciplines that we are to engage in for the purpose of godliness. These are Bible intake (part 1); Bible intake (part 2); prayer; worship; evangelism; serving; stewardship; fasting; silence and solitude; journaling; learning. The book ends by telling us that it is important that we persevere in spiritual discipline.

On Wednesday morning I go to the gym for my early morning workout. While trudging alone, within twenty minutes three of the guys ask me if I remember Truck. I am told that Truck died suddenly on Tuesday. I learn later that Truck was fifty-eight years old. While talking to Jerry we talk about Truck being physically fit. Looking at Truck one would never think that he would suddenly die. Truck was a body builder. Jerry and I talk about the fact that physical exercise is really no guarantee that we will live a long life. However, physical discipline and exercise helps us to live a quality life for the duration of our life. Jerry, who has memorized lots of scripture, quotes 1Timothy 4:7-8 written at the beginning of this article. During our conversation I am led to write this article.

I first began to talk with Truck when I asked him about the inscription on his pants: “Train to Win.” I used my conversation with Truck to write the article “Train to Win,” that I published on this website June 21, 2017. In our conversation Truck talks about setting goals. I ask Truck to tell me three things that are important to him as he strives to reach his goals. The three things that are important to Truck are believe, consistency, and discipline. I hope that you will go to the archives section on this website and read the article.

The word “discipline” comes from the Latin word disciplinae. It means learning and training. The King James Version translates the Greek word gumnazo to the English “exercise.” In 1 Timothy 4 Paul writes to Timothy and instructs him to discipline himself for the purpose of godliness. Since Timothy is to exercise himself, we know that working out daily for the purpose of godliness is not an easy task. Just as Truck has a goal, Timothy has a goal: to be holy in word and behavior. He must be mindful of what he thinks, what he says, and what he does. As stated previously, one does not obtain and maintain godliness easily.

One does not always feel like doing a workout. However, those of us that find ourselves in the gym almost every morning have a purpose. We want to be healthy. We want to maintain some level of fitness. Some of us want to increase our endurance. Others want to build and maintain our strength. Some want to lose weight. Some, like Truck compete for a prize. Some, like me, are aware of disease in our body and we exercise to help control the disease. So, we get up each morning because we believe that if we are consistent in our training we will achieve our goals. In like manner, “The Spiritual disciplines are those personal and corporate disciplines that promote spiritual growth. They are the habits of devotion and experiential Christianity that have been practiced by the people of God since biblical times” (Whitney, 15).

Whitney uses 1Timothy 4:7 as the foundation for his book. The goal of spiritual discipline is that we grow in godliness. It is a goal that requires individual effort. It is helpful if we engage in exercising with a partner and participate in group training. What are some things that hinder our progress as we learn and train for the purpose of godliness? Why does Paul write these words to Timothy?

In 1Timothy 4:8 Paul tells us that spiritual discipline if far more important than bodily discipline. Truck is the perfect example of this truth. Although Truck has an almost perfect physique, he is only fifty-eight years old when he dies. Nothing that he accomplished in this life will benefit him in the life to come.

Spiritual discipline enables us to live our best life now. When we read 1Timothy 4:1-6 we learn that in the church there are false teachers who have fallen away from the faith. Instead of being committed to the doctrine of Jesus Christ as Savior, they begin to teach false doctrines. They pay “attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (v. 1). In verses three through six we learn that the false teachers are teaching that salvation is based on a doctrine of forbidding marriage and abstaining from meats. These false teachers make care of the body the most important thing. They teach that care of the body is synonymous with spiritual maturity and a proper relationship with God.

Paul’s warning to Timothy is applicable for us today. Our world offers us success if we follow certain philosophies and practices. In fact, the world tells us to forget about what Jesus says. The world is saying that what Jesus said 2000 years ago is outdated and science and research shows us that we cannot live our best life if we hold on to a doctrine that was taught by a first century dreamer. On the other hand, Paul tells Timothy and us that if we fail to exercise ourselves for the purpose of godliness we make ourselves susceptible to the doctrines and philosophies of the world. Thus, one of the benefits of spiritual disciplines is that they help us to appreciate God’s grace which saves us from the penalty of sin and keeps us from the power of sin.

Now, Paul is not preaching against one taking care of their body. He admits that bodily exercise has some benefits, but they are beneficial to us in this life only. One of the errors of many Christians today is that they fail to follow good health practices. We ignore dietary principles. We do not get exercise on a regular basis. We do not get enough sleep. Our bodies are out of shape and unhealthy. Yet, we want the government to provide health insurance, and we want the preacher to pray for our sicknesses and diseases. So, what is Paul saying?

First, there are benefits to bodily exercise, but bodily exercise benefits us in this life only. Discipline for the purpose of godliness offers benefits in this life and the added bonus of eternal life. We are all going to die a physical death whether or not we take care of our bodies. Our physical bodies will not enter into the kingdom of God. Our hope of eternal life is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Knowing Jesus gives us advantages in this life and it is our only hope for the life to come. What are some disciplines that we must practice to be godly?

Paul tells Timothy to remind people and himself that Jesus is the savior of all people. He is to be an example in “speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (v. 12). Further, Scripture is to be read to exhort and teach the people (v. 13). We must not neglect the spiritual gifts that we have received (v. 14).

Finally, we are to be absorbed in spiritual disciplines. We must persevere in spiritual disciplines because in so doing we ensure our own salvation, and we lead others to salvation (v.15, 16).