Training the Willনমুনা

The Man of Self-Discipline

“Toxic masculinity is masculinity without self-discipline.”[1]

The Spirit’s agenda for your life includes empowering you to have Jesus’ self-control.

Galatians 5 tells it straight: Life according to the flesh looks like a failure of self-control in relationships, sexuality, conflict, and worship. This way of life disqualifies us from God’s Kingdom.

The fruit of the Spirit is, among other things, self-control.

This week, we’ll look at growing in self-discipline as men. It’s always best to start by looking at Christ.

Consider Jesus’ productivity

Men often like to build things and get things done. Real masculinity isn’t arrogant and doesn’t need to be recognized. Could John have been more understated when he simply wrote, “…through Him all things were made”? (John 1:3)

Consider Jesus’ humility

The infinite, creator God had the self-discipline to spend 9 months in Mary’s womb, 30 years in obscurity, and 3 years mostly being unknown (to the world) and rejected (by His own people). He would be recognized in due time, but He was content to trust His recognition and reputation to His Father.

Consider Jesus' suffering

My kids know and exploit my most ticklish spot. I’m stronger than them and instinctively bat their little hands away. It’s hard for me to let them tickle me.

Jesus could have stopped the flogging, the spitting, and the mocking. He created the very thorns they pressed into His brow. He could have come down off the Cross. Despite the screaming pain racing through every nerve in His body, He stayed. He pressed through. He knew “the joy set before Him,” so He “endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2) until He could say “it is finished” (John 18:30). Then He “gave up His spirit” (Matthew 27:50)—fully self-controlled until the end.

Consider Jesus’ love

He was constantly misunderstood, opposed, and used for miracles, yet He always loved. He could be exhausted and yet gentle. He could be angry and not sin. There is no life like His.

We assume self-indulgence leads to “the good life” and that self-discipline will ruin our lives since it calls us to sacrifice. Jesus shows us the opposite. He shows us what it means to be a man fully alive and mature.

Jesus invites us from admiration to imitation. To know Him is to join Him, and He’s eager for you to do both. To join Him means learning His self-discipline and living it out.

Prayer: Lord, help me to see You with wonder and awe. Deepen my worship. Help me know You! Show me Your way of life and lead me into it by the power of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, and in Jesus’ way, I long to live. Amen.

Reflection: Think of more stories in the Bible where Jesus demonstrates self-discipline. Fix your mind on His example.

[1] This line is from the podcast Modern Wisdom, Episode 839. I did not agree with most of it, but this line is powerful and true.