the spiritual disciplines

learning how to deepen your walk with god

introduction

The spiritual disciplines are meant to be used as a tool to help you grow closer to a walk with God.  In Psalm 1:2 we see a decree that "...delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."  We see the same decree in Joshua1:8 that "this Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it...." 

I Chronicles 12:8
"Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains."

As I read this passage I note 4 qualities that these men possessed:

  1. Integrity - they were mighty men of valor
  2. Discipline - these men were skilled in martial arts and trained for battle
  3. Confidence - they all had faces like a lion
  4. Physical - being "swift as gazelles" tells me they were coordinated, fast, accurate, and healthy

Although there is nothing we can do to earn salvation, as it is a free gift to those who accept it, we can however control the quality of our walk with God.  It takes work to build a close relationship to the father and disciplines help us in that.  Please note, we are not promoting legalism, which would mean you are judged by how many and how often you do these gifts.  Instead, they are tools of training for growth. 

I Timothy 4:7
"Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be Godly."

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul writes: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

If you are interested in learning more about the disciplines, we encourage you to sign up for free membership.  After you sign up you will be given a user name and password to access our black flame members only area.  There you can choose the disciplines you wish to study and be mentored on.