1. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7

2. 1 Timothy 4:1-5
1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

3. 1 Timothy 4:6-8
6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 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.

4. Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction (discipline).”

5. Discipline – A Definition
…the training of one’s own body, mind and spirit to do the right thing, to do the right thing well, and to do the right thing even when you don’t feel like doing the right thing.

6. Four Truths From 1 Timothy 4:7
A disciplined Christian life is…
Expected
Commanded
Personal
Purposeful

7. The Goal of Godliness – Self-Discipline
How Can I Practice Self-Discipline
On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7b)
1. Be resolved (Daniel 1:8)
“But Daniel made up his mind (set his heart upon – resolved) that he would not defile himself…”

8. The Goal of Godliness – Self-Discipline
How Can I Practice Self-Discipline
On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7b)
2. Be prayerful (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
“pray without ceasing.”

9. The Goal of Godliness – Self-Discipline
How Can I Practice Self-Discipline
On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7b)
3. Be intentional to develop godly habits (Matthew 7:17, 20)
“17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit…20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.”

10. The Goal of Godliness – Self-Discipline
How Can I Practice Self-Discipline
On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7b)
4. Be focused on the pleasure and power of Christ (Colossians 3:1-2)
“1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

11. Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

12. Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

13. The Goal of Godliness – Self-Discipline
How Can I Practice Self-Discipline
On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7b)
5. Be diligent (2 Timothy 2:15)
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

14. The Goal of Godliness – Self-Discipline
How Can I Practice Self-Discipline
On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7b)
6. Be ready to change (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

15. The Goal of Godliness – Self-Discipline
How Can I Practice Self-Discipline
On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7b)
7. Be determined (Proverbs 24:16)
“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity.”

16. The Goal of Godliness – Self-Discipline
What are the Pitfalls in Developing Self-Discipline?
On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7b)
1. Idolatry (1 John 5:21)
“Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”

17. The Goal of Godliness – Self-Discipline
What are the Pitfalls in Developing Self-Discipline?
On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7b)
2. Pride (Proverbs 16:18)
“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.”

18. The Goal of Godliness – Self-Discipline
What are the Pitfalls in Developing Self-Discipline?
On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7b)
3. Inflexibility (Isaiah 40:3)
"Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.”

19. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7