Spiritual Disciplines 1B: Introduction

Back in 2016, I posted a basic introduction to the spiritual disciplines with the intention of going into greater detail and turning it into a series. To date, I haven't been able to do this. However, the subject never truly left my heart or mind and, in recent weeks, God has brought it back to my attention through one of my small groups. I've decided to go deeper by reading one of the classic books on spiritual disciplines, Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster, and share what I feel God leading me to with you. This post will be a more detailed introduction than the one linked to above, and I'd highly encourage you to read this one as background for the posts that follow, and to see if you wish to devote time to this subject.

First and foremost, it is critical that you understand why you should practice the spiritual disciplines. Their purpose is to bring you to a place where you enter into intimacy with God. Romans 12:1-2 is one of the best passages that explains this:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

When we dedicate ourselves to God, give up our own desires in exchange for His, we are living for Him. The disciplines are part of what help us get to this place of closeness with Him. The more we practice them, the more our mind will be renewed and transformed to God's heart.

Before I can dive into discussing any one specific discipline, you have to understand why the disciplines in general are so important. I am not elevating them to a status higher than Biblical commands, because they all are Biblical commandments. Giving them the title of "spiritual disciplines" merely breaks them down into more manageable pieces and makes it easier to focus on each one individually. Below is a list I have compiled of the disciplines, though I am unsure how many I will cover in my series. It is not necessarily a complete list and, depending on who you talk to, you will find different names for some of them or perhaps two combined into one, but this is my own break-down combining ones I've come across through camp, small group, Celebration of Discipline, and various websites. As I post on a discipline listed here, I will link its title to that post. (I know there is a tendency to skim lengthy lists, but I suggest you slow down and truly read each.)

• Accountability
• Application
• Bible Reading
• Celebration
• Chastity
• Confession
• Consistency
• Contemplation
• Contentment
• Dedication
• Encouragement
• Evangelism
• Fasting
• Fellowship
• Generosity
• Gratitude/Thankfulness
• Guidance
• Hearing God's Word
• Humility
• Journaling
• Learning
• Love
• Meditation
• Memorizing Scripture
• Obedience
• Personal Reflection/Self-Examination
• Prayer
• Preaching
• Resisting Temptation
• Rest
• Sabbath
• Sacrifice
• Secrecy
• Service
• Silence
• Simplicity/Frugality
• Solitude
• Speaking
• Stewardship of Money
• Stewardship of Time
• Study
• Submission
• Testimony
• Waiting
• Worship

That's a pretty daunting list, isn't it? Even if you just skimmed it, the sheer length is formidable. For me, merely listing all these overwhelmed me with a sense of failing before starting. Knowing that all these are Biblical requirements risks slipping into feeling inadequate and asking "Why try?" In truth, this is precisely where the journey must begin.

The goal of studying and practicing the disciplines is to experience a deep closeness with God, and the first step is realizing our own inability to achieve this. In his short book, Freedom from Sinful Thoughts, Heini Arnold writes, "As long as we think we can save ourselves by our own will power, we will only make the evil in us stronger than ever." When we try to accomplish the disciplines without relying on God, we may produce outward signs of success for a time, but will soon grow weary and our inner condition will ultimately be revealed. Before stepping into God's court, it is critical that we understand that without His help, we cannot make any progress toward intimacy with Him. In Celebration of Discipline, Foster explains:

When we despair of gaining inner transformation through human powers of will and determination, we are open to a wonderful new realization: inner righteousness is a gift from God to be graciously received. The needed change within us is God's work, not ours.

He goes on to cite Paul in the book of Romans, where Paul refers to the "free gift of righteousness." However, Foster also warns against then assuming that there is nothing we can do. There is a middle ground between doing our part in practicing the disciplines and relying on God's grace to work within us. The disciplines are a means of receiving God's grace. We cannot expect to do nothing and receive the results of the disciplines, Fruits of the Spirit, or intimacy with God.

Foster describes the journey of "disciplined grace" as a path between two cliffs. One cliff is human strivings for righteousness, and the other side is no human effort. The path is the disciplines. It leads to inner transformation, but it's a long and difficult path, and you must try not to slip to either side. "We must always remember that the path does not produce the change; it only places us where the change can occur." You need to make the decision to pursue this road with your eyes open to how much persistence and time it will take.

Knowing that it takes effort to achieve all this, consider why you, personally, would learn the disciplines. You must have a strong drive to continue practicing them, or you will soon give up. In order to succeed, the desire has to be stronger than the frustration of not seeing immediate results. As for me, I tend to start strong but my efforts quickly taper off when I don't make visible progress. Before long, I have stopped entirely. Foster sums up the issue simply:

Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.

Today's culture is busy and often results in shallow relationships. "How are you?" is a question asked without expecting more than a vague "good" in response, if that. It's even asked to a stranger we pass on the sidewalk. We don't expect deep answers from others, and this has seeped into our relationships' with God. The best way I see to avoid this is knowing how important a deep, close relationship with God is. The disciplines are designed to bring us closer to God, and yes, it takes time and persistence, but it will pay off. When it does, you will be tremendously blessed. Even before you realize you are reaping the benefits, you are. Little by little, you will see that instead of always struggling to be kind, forgiving, loving, etc. this becomes your natural state. In fact, it would be difficult to not be kind, forgiving, loving, etc. This change takes a long time of total commitment, but the reward will be great.

However, a word of caution should be given. Keep in mind that the disciplines are between you and God only. Be sure not to become like the Pharisees and boast of your works. The point of the disciplines is not to become a "better Christian," but more like Jesus—humble, loving, faithful. It's all about the heart behind it. It might be easy to fool others, but God cannot be tricked. He sees the heart, and He knows the reasons behind your efforts. Also remember that the disciplines should be regularly practiced not as another religious "duty" we must perform, but with a heart that desires only to grow closer to God. Don't allow the disciplines to become a set of laws that makes you proud when you follow and fearful when you don't. Keep your heart in the right place—purely longing for a deep closeness with God.

Now, perhaps this is what I should say at the end of every post in this series. Do not get caught up in the mechanics of the disciplines, and forget that it's all about the heart. God doesn't care if you don't do them "perfectly," and there is not necessarily any one "right" way to practice them. Your heart is the key. If you have a heart truly determined to do whatever it takes to grow nearer to God, He will honor that dedication and desire. Don't become concerned with exactly "how to" and never actually do it. Don't worry about if you're doing it "right," just start right away and practice it.