After accepting Christ as Savior and Lord, the journey really begins. The knowledge of the amazing grace of God opens up a whole new world. But how do we enter into and become all that God wants us to be?

The answer lies in one word…DISCIPLINE.

The noun disciple used in the new testament comes from the Greek word “mathétés” meaning a learner, disciple, pupil. Helps Word Studies gives the following  “mathētḗs (from math-, the “mental effort needed to think something through”) – properly, a learner; a disciple, a follower of Christ who learns the doctrines of Scripture and the lifestyle they require; someone catechized with proper instruction from the Bible with its necessary follow-through (life-applications).

Discipline from the Greek word “paideuó” a verb having the meaning of ” (a) I discipline, educate, train, (b) more severely: I chastise.” Helps Word Studies gives the following “paideúō (from país, “a child under development with strict training”) – properly, to train up a child (país), so they mature and realize their full potential (development). This requires necessary discipline (training), which includes administering chastisement (punishment).

From this we can recognize that in order to become a disciple we need to first enter into the necessary training. This discipline can entail chastisement or punishment.We cannot expect to become disciples if we do not submit ourselves to training which involves some sort of chastening which in essence, is really a purifying process.

1.  REPENTANCE is the first step in the direction of discipline. Like David, we need to pray this prayer in Psalm 51.

   Have mercy on me, O God, because of your loyal love! Because of your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts! Wash away my wrongdoing! Cleanse me of my sin! For I am aware of my rebellious acts;I am forever conscious of my sin. Against you – you above all – I have sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. So you are just when you confront me; you are right when you condemn me. Look, I was guilty of sin from birth, a sinner the moment my mother conceived me. Look, you desire integrity in the inner man; you want me to possess wisdom. Sprinkle me with water and I will be pure; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Grant me the ultimate joy of being forgiven! May the bones you crushed rejoice! Hide your face from my sins! Wipe away all my guilt! Create for me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me! Do not reject me! Do not take your Holy Spirit away from me! Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance! Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey! Then I will teach rebels your merciful ways, and sinners will turn to you. Rescue me from the guilt of murder, O God, the God who delivers me! Then my tongue will shout for joy because of your deliverance. O Lord, give me the words! Then my mouth will praise you. Certainly you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it; you do not desire a burnt sacrifice. The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit – O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject. Because you favor Zion, do what is good for her! Fortify the walls of Jerusalem! Then you will accept the proper sacrifices, burnt sacrifices and whole offerings; then bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.

2. DELIVERANCE- In order for deliverance to come, we must first deal with the spirit of murder….within us.This spirit takes residence in our hearts and it takes the power of the Holy Ghost to deliver us from this. Its handiwork manifests first as envy, jealousy, pride, hate, self righteousness and more. Discipline involves taking back the territory once occupied by this spirit.

3. Crucifying the flesh. This involves a lot of hard work and commitment. It is a battle for the mind- invasion, pulling down strongholds and occupying.