Am I Lazy?

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (NLT)

If we are honest, many of us are not walking in the full potential our calling not because of our circumstances or because we are afraid but because we lack self-discipline and are, dare I say it, lazy. It sounds a bit harsh and some may even say, judgemental. But as our Saviour taught us the truth will set us free.

John 8:32 - And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (NLT)

More often than not we are more dishonest to ourselves than anyone else. This might partly explain why David asked the Lord to search his heart.

Psalm 139: 23 - Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! (ESV)

But in today’s main verse, we see that there is hope. One of the gifts that the Lord has given us as part of our new identity in Him, is self-discipline. But to fully embrace this new identity we must honestly reflect on our current state. It’s like the gift of salvation. Jesus is a gift from God that we can all accept but to accept that gift we must first accept that we are sinners.

Romans 3:23-24 - For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. (NLT)

Similarly, once we have accepted that we lack self-discipline in a certain area of our lives, we are free to embrace and walk in this new identity.

Questions to think about: Do I lack self-discipline in any area of my life? Do I make excuses about making progress in my life because I am lazy? Am I willing to accept God’s gift of self-discipline in all areas of my life?