by thewayofredeemers

A Prudent Life – Part 2

A Prudent Life – Part 2

III. Practice Discipline.

(If we’re wise, we know we need to discipline ourselves, but how to do it?)

 

  1. Motivation for self-discipline stems from fear of the Lord.
  2. Because I fear, respect the Lord, I am moved to do what He says. To “do” or to “not do”.
  3. Actually it’s better to practice such things out of love. 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” If my love for God has matured and is real, I am moved to obey.
  4. So, such discipline actually correlates with “faith”. If I forget about God caring, guiding, if I block that out of my mind, if I lose that fear, that respect, that love, then I can get slothful again.

 

  1. Practice of discipline stems from knowledge.
  2. Discipline is self-control. Learn from mistakes. Child learns the stove is hot, needs to enforce that knowledge by NOT touching the stove. Same is true in spiritual realm and in everyday life!
  3. I now know too much to do this. God has taught me to NOT respond harshly or with vengeance and malice, but to give a gentle answer.
  4. I now know too much to fail to do this! God has taught me that life comes from the Spirit and that spiritual strength comes from spiritual fellowship with other Christians. I know too much to make it a habit of missing the assembly!
  5. He has taught me that evil companions corrupt good morals. I know too much to hang around with that crowd that I used to hang around with.

 

  1. Discipline can be an effort away from certain things.
  2. Resist what you know is not good. There are things we should stubbornly avoid!
  3. Proverb 1:10, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.”
  4. Proverb 1:15, “my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;” Resist temptation
  5. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”
  6. Slothfulness? Gluttony? Irritable answers? Television shows that affect your spirit with lusts and thoughts that are spiritually destructive.

 

  1. Discipline can be a positive effort toward certain things.
  2. Self-discipline is not easy – generally involves work and effort!
  3. There are good practices and good habits we need to work at developing! Force yourself to do what is beneficial.
  4. Like good eating habits or good exercise. I know it is good for me to walk a mile every day – but it won’t happen by accident. It will take some self-control, some personal discipline.
  5. Do you remember that such self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit; Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
  6. If one is going to grow spiritually, they have to start somewhere. Why not pick something and begin to practice discipline;
  7. Determine to read one chapter of Bible before sleep – dwelling on it at night.
  8. Determine to have a kind word for your spouse in the AM instead of starting grumpy.
  9. Determine to quietly step away when they share dirty jokes at work.
  10. Start somewhere and grow.

So What?

As you look around, you can see a lot of lives that are being ruined. Some are running toward their own destruction. Some are being misled. Some are simply wandering around like sheep without a shepherd. It doesn’t have to be so for you. You know the source of wisdom and life. You have the secret to a good and prudent life.

 

Closing Prayer:

Father, please help me to live a very prudent life in Jesus name.

Father, please give me a very teachable spirit

 

A Prudent Life

Proverbs 1 & 2

Reading: Proverb 1:1-9. Memory: Proverb 1:7

 

We need to know how to make good choices to live a prudent life.

Three keys to prudent living.

  1. Seek Wisdom.
  2. Wisdom is the application of knowledge.
  3. Wisdom starts with respect for God.

Proverb 1:7 Psalm 53:1 Psalm 53:2

  1. Seek wisdom from God.

Proverb 2:3-6 James 1:5 Proverb 2:9-11

 

  1. Accept Correction.
  2. Correction is a source of knowledge.

Proverb 12:1 Proverb 1:23

  1. Fools despise discipline.

Proverb 1:7 Proverb 3:11-12 Proverb 1:23-33

  1. Prudence accepts correction from any legitimate source.

 

III. Practice Discipline.

  1. Motivation for self-discipline stems from fear of the Lord.

1 John 4:18

  1. Practice of discipline stems from knowledge.
  2. Discipline can be an effort away from certain things.

Proverb 1:10 Proverb 1:15 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

  1. Discipline can be a positive effort toward certain things.

Galatians 5:22

So What? You have learn the secret to a good and prudent life.

 

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