For most of us then, the discipline of chastity means following Job’s example: “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman” (Job 31:1 NIV). We must discipline our eyes not to lust after anyone who is not our spouse.
And if we are ever in a compromising situation, we should follow Joseph’s example when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. Genesis 39:12 says, “She caught him by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me.’ But he left his garment in her hand and fled.”
Through the spiritual discipline of chastity, we follow Paul’s command to put our sexual immorality and evil desires to death (Col 3:5).
And when we feel like the temptation is too strong to fight, we must remember the Bible’s promise: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape” (1 Cor 10:13).
The discipline of chastity is a lifelong battle of fleeing temptation, pursuing purity and trusting God to provide the way.
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES #12. DISCIPLE-MAKING
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
Disciple-making is a spiritual discipline because it does not happen by accident.
To make disciples, as the Bible commands, we must actively seek out opportunities to share the gospel (Mark 16:15), baptize new believers, and teach them how to obey everything that Jesus commanded (Matt 28:19-20).
If our goal is to become more like Christ, then we ought to participate in his mission. Jesus said that he came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). When Jesus recruited the disciples, he said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:19). And after his death and resurrection, he commissioned us to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19).
Disciple-making is a cornerstone of the church. In Acts 5:42, we read, “Every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” Sharing the gospel and teaching others how to follow Jesus was a daily discipline.
All Christians should practice disciple-making. Sadly, many leave it to just the hired professionals.
Most of us don’t make disciples because we don’t discipline ourselves to do it.
This article originally appeared here.
