Self-Discipline

   Bringing self into line so that each individual is a blessing and an asset to society is perhaps the greatest of all problems confronting the human family today. In accomplishing this great and desirable end, we are confronted with the stark reality that by nature man is depraved, or in the words of Paul, "children of wrath" or children of Satan (Eph 2:3).It is as natural for men to sin as it is for an apple to fall to the earth rather than falling away from the earth. Why? Because the mass of the earth is so much greater than the apple; therefore, the perceptible movement is much greater on the part of the apple than on the earth. So, the power or nature to sin is greater in the unredeemed; therefore the inevitable result is sin--continues to be sin until the nature is changed. 2 Pet 1:4 declares that through the promises of the Word of God, we can have our nature changed. We become partakers of the divine nature. Then, the power within us to do good is greater than the power around us to do evil. The result is a life of righteousness.

But even in a state of redemption, Satan will bring all the pressure possible upon the human soul to cause it to sin, so here is where the need of discipline comes in. The effect of sin on the human soul have produced weakness. Parents bequeath to their offspring inherent weakness. We are warned of this by God, that He visits the iniquity of the parents down to the third and fourth generation---Num 14:18. Consequently, in the process of living right, there are greater difficulties to be overcome, even though the nature has been changed by salvation. There remain weak places in character, the scars of sin, the emaciation of the sinews of spirituality. Lack of discipline causes the soul to give in to the attacks of Satan at these weak places. After conversion, God sets about to build up these weak places. So very carefully does He plan each test and trial, making very sure that the test is not too great nor too long. With this careful planning, God is able to lead to victory every time. He never fails if the tested soul follows Him.

One phase of self-discipline is found in the doctrine of fasting, which is not a tradition but is ordained by the Word of God. Few people today fast after any fashion at all, and fewer still fast in the Bible sense. One of the popular practices among religious groups is what they are pleased to call partial fasting. I can find no Bible approval of such a practice. Partial fasting is never mentioned in the Word of God. Fasting under such teaching degenerates into the practice of abstinence from candy, cigarettes, or similar indulgences for a prescribed period. Neither candy nor cigarettes are essential to the life of the body. We could do without them forever (it could not be called self-denial) and suffer no injury; rather, we would be benefited by it. But doubtless, many consciences have been stilled and lulled to sleep by such practices, the self life being as much alive after the practice as before. Others fast by abstaining from food only for certain periods, drinking water and perhaps fruit juices or even milk. Life would continue on indefinitely under such a fast.

What is a true fast, and what is its purpose? A true fast could be summed up in these words: a determination to gain a certain end or die in the attempt--to cut off every avenue of food and liquid from the body until the desired end is gained. No one dies in a fast which is approved by God, but one does suffer. Suffering is imposed by Satan for the purpose of causing a break in the fast and consequent loss of the desired goal. In some effort of fasting of there maybe a constant fight against the growing pain of hunger, thirst, and weakness. Every way you turn, temptation is heavy and almost unbearable. Every bit of strength must be summoned to abstain. This is valuable in the process of self-discipline. You will learn that you can say consistently no to a candy dish on the table hour by hour, or the fragrance of wholesome delicious food set out three times a day. This is good discipline. Then in other periods of fasting, there may be only intermittent temptations to break the fast or none at all, only a serene and buoyant spirit of victory moment by moment. Most people would prefer the latter, but doubtless, this kind is not so much the character building and disciplining kind.

Doubtless, fasting becomes most effective when God has led to the point nowhere death would ensue if the the body were not miraculously sustained. All Christians should work to achieve this end. Miraculous sustaining of the body does not need to be delayed until weakness appears, but from the start God supplies strength and the feeling of fatigue is absent. In such experiences Satan will be permitted to impose upon the one fasting a false feeling of fatigue, which should be steadfastly resisted in the faith.

The Apostles in the morning church declared it was necessary that ordinary duties on their part should be diminished to the lowest point possible, so they could give themselves to their Christian duties, among them, fasting, for there are some things which cannot be accomplished otherwise, among these things, some cases of healing. Do not say it is too hard. The benefits are far greater than the inconvenience or sufferings involved.