Broken Self-Discipline
Death by Lack of Discipline – Part 2

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 5:18-23

Key Verse: Proverbs 5:23

He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

I’m not sure why the saying on the wall poster had such an impact one me.  I was a teenager and my dad was the pastor of a very small church in Ohio.  I was sitting in a classroom with three or four other teenagers waiting for Sunday school to begin.  The church building was very small and my classroom was a small room meant for other purposes.  It was located up front of the sanctuary to the side of the little platform where my dad preached.  In other words, there was nothing impressive about any of the surroundings.  But that morning impacted me and forty plus years later I still remember the poster’s quote: “The yoke of a free man is discipline.”

From that day forward, those who were close to me would confirm: I lived my life with that quote guiding me.  I have unfortunately tested its truth a few times over the forty years.  In those moments of lack of discipline, I lost my “true” freedom!  God has been gracious in His forgiveness and I returned to the life of discipline.  This concept is rather counterintuitive in that it seems that self-discipline restricts our freedoms to do what our flesh wants but, as most incarcerated prisoners would testify, lack of self-discipline brings lack of freedom.  As you go through this day, I hope this quote will help you stay focused: “The yoke of a free man is discipline!”

Father, grant me your strength and courage to live today disciplined.  May I fight the immediate gratifications of the flesh that come my way.  In Jesus’ name, amen.