Character and Discipline

Character and discipline matter. I have not always behaved in a disciplined manner because of flaws in my character, so today’s example of failure, is me.

The Bible says in Romans 7:18…

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but [how] to perform what is good I do not find.”

I have always sought to do the right thing, but I have failed miserably at times.  Due to the flaws in my character I have taken liberties in my behavior in the past, and as a result, my life is riddled with failure and regret.  These poor decisions led to sinfulness, and have hurt many people along the way, to some of whom I will never have a chance to apologize.  That’s the bad news…

The good news is that as I have matured, and as I have prayed that the Lord would search me and know my heart, try me and know my anxieties, and see if there is any offensive way in me (Psalm 139:23-24), the Lord has made me painfully aware of some of the most offensive flaws in my character.  In His grace and mercy He has repaired many of them through my repentance, and His forgiveness.  This process continues to be followed by painfully acquired spiritual maturity, and the renewed desire and commitment to live by the precepts of His word in a disciplined way.  He has much more work to do in me, but thankfully I have gotten His grace when I deserved His judgement, and I am still a work in progress.  I do seek to be a man of character and discipline, and I work hard to be just that.  I still fail at times, but maturity has brought discernment, and a more keen eye for what is acceptable and appropriate, and what is not.  I can’t do anything about the past.  I can only strive to be one of God’s men, and be about His business moving forward.  When the enemy comes around and tries to use my past failure to accuse me, and render me ineffective in ministry, I can rely on the promise of  Romans 8:1…

“There is therefore now NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

It’s very simple…  In my flesh, nothing good dwells, so I should walk in the Spirit.   If I seek to be a man of character and discipline, I will not be perfect, but I am much more likely to find myself doing God’s will and behaving appropriately.  I have learned from my previous failures, and they have brought about godly sorrow that has led to repentance.  I can only pray that the people whom I have offended and hurt along the way can find it in their hearts to forgive me, but as far as the Lord in concerned, those things are now gone and dealt with (1 John 1:9).  My responsibility now is to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7). I agree with the Apostle Paul when he says:

“I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” - (Philippians 3:13-14)

For anyone reading these words who may find themselves in a similar situation,today is a good day for change.  There may still be consequences left over from previous behavior, but it’s never the wrong time to do the right thing.

Our fallen, sinful nature can’t be trusted, but God can. Therefore, if we seek Him in His Word, in prayer and in the fellowship and accountability of other believers, and if we discipline our flesh and live by faith, then we’re much more likely to find ourselves behaving in a way that pleases God rather than behaving sinfully.

So, this is what I choose to do, and I pray you will do the same.  To deny ourselves, pick up our crosses daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23).  Why…? Simply because we love the Lord, and He says “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), and because character and discipline matter.

Written by: Tracy Edward Tucker, 2010 copyright reserved