Christin Slade

Spiritual disciplines matter. Here are 4 reasons they help you grow in godliness, know God deeper, and live equipped for your daily walk with Him.

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” – 1 Timothy 4:7 (NASB)

I read somewhere that spiritual disciplines aren’t necessary for Christians—and for a moment, I was tempted to agree.

But then I realized how my own lack of discipline has robbed me of studying God’s Word more deeply. I didn’t guard my time well and was more apt to scroll or turn on Netflix than to expect more from myself. Although I wanted closeness with God, I made excuses rather than making Him a priority.

I became lazy in many of my spiritual disciplines, believing there might be some truth to what was being said. After all, why put all this effort into something if it wasn’t necessary?

I was constantly frustrated with myself for not doing the things I wanted to do, and avoiding the things that simply wasted my time. My spiritual walk does not grow by chance. It grows by choice. It’s determined by every choice I make. This is a truth I’ve had to learn the hard way.

My choices either help me move forward, or cause me to step back. Having intimacy with God requires growth and time and this only comes from making precise decisions to nourish and nurture my relationship with Him. It’s a discipline, not an accident. When I notice my disconnect from God, it’s because I left the disciplined life for a life of default. You know, kind of letting the cards fall where they will.

If you’ve fallen out of rhythm, you’re not alone. We all drift. The beauty of God’s grace is that we can come back, again and again.

So, why is it necessary to live a life with spiritual disciplines?

4 Reasons Spiritual Disciplines Are Still Important

1. They help me deny the flesh. If there is one battle that I fight everyday, without fail, it’s the battle of the flesh. And it’s worse when I don’t have a plan in place; when I don’t practice discipline. To read and memorize the Word helps me battle the flesh with the spirit of Truth. Regular Bible reading and memorization are absolutely necessary spiritual disciplines for a Christian. I don’t know how anyone can face each day without feasting on God’s Word and allowing it to penetrate their heart.
2. They help me know God. Regular practice of reading the Word, praying, worshiping with music, and memorizing scriptures–how else are we to know God and grow in relationship with Him if we do not discipline ourselves to do so? Some disciplines will take much more effort and much more denial of self than others.
3. They redeem my time. God gives us the gift of time. Putting spiritual disciplines into place helps ensure we are using our time wisely. We are all given the same amount of time. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to waste it on useless endeavors.
4. They equip me for life. I need Jesus. It’s as simple as that. Disciplining myself to know Him more and live for Him better is the best way I know of to equip myself in this life. He makes the promises and He’s the provider. He’s the Bread of Life and Living Water. Without daily partaking, I am left weak and without hope.

A Word of Warning About Legalism

If these disciplines are done as merely habit, ritual, or tradition and lack heart and desire to further grow, they will be of no value to your walk with Christ.

Furthermore, if you believe doing these things will make you right with God, you will be walking in legalism and believing a lie. There is only One who makes us “right” with God and it’s Jesus Christ.

However, the Bible talks specifically about working out your salvation with fear and trembling. In other words, don’t take the gift He’s given you lightly. We need to walk worthy of the calling we have received.

Imagine waking up and actually wanting to spend time in the Word. Feeling equipped, not exhausted. Joyful, not just surviving. That kind of life is built one disciplined choice at a time.

Which spiritual discipline is God nudging you to return to—or begin—for the sake of knowing Him more?

Ask the Lord to highlight one spiritual discipline He’s inviting you to pick back up.

In His Grace,
Christin

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