THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE THAT BRINGS SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

THE WORDS OF TRUTH
WEEKLY DIGEST
September 13th, 2026

𝕋𝕆ℙ𝕀ℂ:
THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE THAT BRINGS SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

Main Texts

Hebrews 12:1–29; Job 36:10–11; Daniel 1:8; Daniel 3:16–18

Supporting Scriptures

Romans 12:1–2; 1 Corinthians 9:24–27; Galatians 5:22–23; 2 Timothy 2:3–5; Luke 4:1–13; Luke 9:23; Luke 22:39–46; John 14:15; Psalm 119:9–11; Joshua 1:8; Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 4:7–8; Proverbs 25:28; Matthew 6:16–18.

INTRODUCTION

There is a level of spiritual growth that prayer alone will not produce unless prayer is accompanied by discipline and obedience.

Many people desire the power of God but do not desire the discipline that sustains the power.

They want the victory of David but do not want the discipline of David in the wilderness.

They want the testimony of Daniel but do not want Daniel's decision in Daniel 1:8:

"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself..."

They want to stand like the three Hebrew men in the furnace, but they do not want to stand against Babylon before the furnace arrives.

Spiritual growth is not accidental. It is cultivated.

A Christian who does not deliberately cultivate his spiritual life will gradually become spiritually weak.

Hebrews 12:1 says:

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us..."

The Christian life is described as a race. A serious athlete cannot win a major competition through wishes. There must be training, sacrifice, discipline, endurance and self-control.

Likewise:

Prayer without discipline can become occasional.
Bible reading without discipline can become irregular.
Fasting without discipline can become seasonal.
Church attendance without discipline can become convenient.
Giving without discipline can become emotional.
Christian character without discipline can become unstable.

God is calling His people from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity.

WHAT IS DISCIPLINE?

Discipline is the deliberate training of oneself to consistently do what is right, necessary and beneficial, even when it is difficult, inconvenient or unpleasant.

Discipline means:

• controlling yourself;
• submitting yourself to necessary correction;
• developing godly habits;
• denying yourself certain pleasures;
• maintaining consistency;
• obeying instructions;
• refusing destructive desires;
• training yourself for a desired outcome.

Discipline says:

"I will do what must be done, not merely what I feel like doing."

This is extremely important spiritually.

Your feelings cannot be the governor of your Christian life.

There will be days when you do not feel like praying.

Pray.

There will be days when you do not feel like studying the Bible.

Study it.

There will be days when you do not feel like going to church.

Go.

There will be occasions when your flesh wants to respond angrily.

Control your tongue.

There will be opportunities to compromise.

Stand.

That is discipline.

METHODS OF DISCIPLINE

Discipline can operate through several methods:

1. Self-control

Proverbs 25:28.

Learning to control appetite, emotions, sexuality, speech, anger, spending and desires.

2. Repetition

What you repeatedly practise eventually becomes a habit.

3. Rules and boundaries

You deliberately establish limits around things that can destroy you.

4. Accountability

Allowing mature people to correct, guide and challenge you.

5. Correction

Hebrews 12:5–11 teaches that correction can produce righteousness.

6. Sacrifice

Giving up something legitimate for something more important.

7. Delayed gratification

Refusing immediate pleasure for a greater future reward.

8. Consistency

Doing the right thing repeatedly until it becomes part of your character.

9. Training

Like athletes, soldiers and professionals, you train before demanding performance.

10. Obedience

Discipline ultimately becomes meaningful when it produces obedience to God.

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE?

Spiritual discipline is the deliberate training of the believer's life through God's Word, prayer, obedience, self-denial and godly practices so that his character, faith and relationship with God become increasingly mature.

It is not punishment.

It is training for spiritual maturity.

Paul said:

"I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection..."
— 1 Corinthians 9:27

Paul understood something profound:

If you do not discipline your desires, your desires can eventually discipline you.

Spiritual discipline brings the flesh under the authority of the Spirit and the Word of God.

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL GROWTH?

Spiritual growth is the progressive development of a believer into greater maturity, Christlikeness, obedience, holiness, wisdom, faith, love and usefulness to God.

It is becoming increasingly like Christ.

2 Peter 3:18:

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Spiritual growth means:

• greater obedience;
• deeper knowledge of God's Word;
• stronger prayer life;
• increasing holiness;
• greater love;
• greater faith;
• better spiritual discernment;
• stronger resistance to temptation;
• greater patience;
• greater usefulness to God;
• increasing fruit of the Spirit.

A spiritually mature Christian should not remain where he was five years ago.

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN DISCIPLINE AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Discipline produces consistency.

Consistency produces spiritual habits.

Spiritual habits produce character.

Character produces maturity.

Maturity produces usefulness.

Usefulness produces greater kingdom impact.

Therefore:

No discipline → little consistency.
Little consistency → weak spiritual habits.
Weak spiritual habits → limited growth.

Hebrews 12:11 says:

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness..."

Notice the word:

AFTERWARD.

Discipline may be painful now, but its fruit appears afterward.

OBEDIENCE PRECEDES PROSPERITY AND DISCIPLINE PRECEDES PLEASURE

Job 36:11 says:

"If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures."

Observe the order:

OBEY → SERVE → PROSPERITY → PLEASURES

God's order matters.

Many people want:

pleasure → prosperity → blessing

without:

obedience → service → discipline.

But kingdom blessings must be pursued according to kingdom principles.

There is pleasure after discipline.

The athlete disciplines his body before receiving the trophy.

The student disciplines himself before receiving the certificate.

The professional disciplines himself before becoming an expert.

The soldier submits to discipline before going to battle.

The farmer works before harvesting.

The Christian must also embrace spiritual discipline before enjoying the deeper fruits of spiritual maturity.

ATHLETES AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE RACE

Paul uses athletics as an illustration.

1 Corinthians 9:24–25

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?"

An athlete:

• wakes up when others sleep;
• trains when others relax;
• watches his diet;
• controls his body;
• sacrifices pleasure;
• repeats exercises;
• accepts correction;
• endures pain;
• remains focused on the prize.

Why?

Because the prize is greater than the temporary pleasure.

Hebrews 12:1–2 therefore tells us to run our Christian race with patience, looking unto Jesus.

If athletes can discipline themselves for a corruptible crown, believers must discipline themselves for an incorruptible crown.

SOLDIERS AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

2 Timothy 2:3–4 says:

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

A soldier cannot say:

"I will obey the commander only when I like the instruction."

Military discipline prepares the soldier for battle.

Likewise, spiritual discipline prepares the Christian for spiritual warfare.

You cannot wait until the day of battle before learning how to pray.

You cannot wait until temptation comes before learning the Word.

You cannot wait until crisis arrives before developing faith.

The discipline of today prepares you for the battle of tomorrow.

DANIEL: DISCIPLINE BEFORE PROMOTION

Daniel 1:8 says:

"Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself..."

Daniel was living in Babylon.

Babylon offered:

• food;
• wine;
• comfort;
• education;
• influence;
• promotion.

But Daniel understood that not everything available is acceptable.

He made a decision before the pressure became overwhelming.

Daniel's discipline produced distinction.

Daniel 1:20 says they were found ten times better.

His discipline did not destroy his destiny.

It protected his destiny.

THE THREE HEBREW MEN: DISCIPLINE TO REFUSE OTHER GODS

Daniel 3:16–18 records their response to Nebuchadnezzar.

They essentially said:

Our God is able to deliver us, but even if He does not, we will not bow.

This is spiritual discipline at its highest level.

They were disciplined enough to say:

"We shall serve no other gods."

Their commitment was not:

"We will worship God as long as it is convenient."

Their commitment was absolute.

They preferred:

fire rather than idolatry.

They preferred:

death rather than compromise.

And God met them in the fire.

Sometimes spiritual discipline means refusing what everybody else is accepting.

REFUSING THE ENTICEMENT OF THE WORLD AND SATAN

The world constantly presents attractive alternatives to obedience.

Satan's strategy often begins with:

enticement → compromise → bondage → destruction.

The believer must learn to say:

"NO."

No to sinful pleasure.

No to immoral relationships.

No to dishonest gain.

No to occult practices.

No to bitterness.

No to unforgiveness.

No to gossip.

No to pride.

No to manipulation.

No to idolatry.

No to spiritual laziness.

No to whatever God has forbidden.

Spiritual maturity includes the ability to say NO.

JESUS AND THE DISCIPLINE OF SELF-DENIAL

Before Jesus began His public ministry, Luke 4:1–13 records His wilderness experience and forty days of fasting.

He faced temptation concerning:

• appetite;
• identity;
• power;
• possessions;
• worship;
• pride.

Jesus repeatedly responded with:

"It is written..."

His victory demonstrated the authority of God's Word over temptation.

Then, in Gethsemane, Jesus faced the agony of the cross.

Luke 22:42:

"Not my will, but thine, be done."

This is one of the deepest expressions of spiritual discipline:

Submitting personal desire to God's will.

Spiritual discipline is therefore not merely waking up early to pray.

It is learning to say:

"Father, not my will, but Yours."

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE IS COSTLY

Luke 9:23 says:

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Notice:

DAILY.

Not occasionally.

Not when convenient.

Not only on Sunday.

Spiritual discipline requires self-denial.

Sometimes you must deny yourself sleep to pray.

Sometimes you must deny yourself food to fast.

Sometimes you must deny yourself entertainment to study Scripture.

Sometimes you must deny yourself an argument.

Sometimes you must deny yourself revenge.

Sometimes you must deny yourself money that should belong to God.

Sometimes you must deny yourself an opportunity because it compromises your convictions.

But the end is glorious.

THE PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

Spiritual discipline is not designed to make God love you.

God's love is already demonstrated in Christ.

Rather, discipline helps us become vessels capable of carrying and expressing what God has placed within us.

Discipline removes weights.

Hebrews 12:1 says:

"Let us lay aside every weight..."

Notice that it mentions both:

weights and sin.

Some things may not be outright sinful, but they can still become weights.

Ask yourself:

• Is this activity helping my spiritual life?
• Is this relationship helping me follow Christ?
• Is this entertainment strengthening or weakening me?
• Is my financial lifestyle helping me honour God?
• Is my use of time helping my purpose?
• Is my phone controlling me?
• Is pleasure consuming the time I should give God?

AREAS WHERE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE IS REQUIRED

1. DISCIPLINE OF THE HEART

Proverbs 4:23:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence..."

Guard against:

• pride;
• envy;
• bitterness;
• lust;
• greed;
• hatred;
• unbelief;
• unforgiveness;
• rebellion.

The heart is the battlefield of many spiritual problems.

Prayer:

Lord, purify my heart and remove every evil deposit.

2. DISCIPLINE OF THE TONGUE

James 3:2–10.

Your tongue requires discipline.

Do not use your mouth to:

• curse;
• gossip;
• lie;
• slander;
• insult;
• spread rumours;
• destroy reputations;
• provoke unnecessary conflicts.

Use your tongue to:

• pray;
• praise;
• bless;
• encourage;
• preach;
• testify;
• speak truth;
• intercede.

Proverbs 18:21:

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."

A spiritually mature person knows when to speak and when to remain silent.

3. DISCIPLINE IN PRAYER

Luke 18:1:

"Men ought always to pray, and not to faint."

Prayer must become a lifestyle, not an emergency service.

Develop discipline in:

• morning prayer;
• evening prayer;
• personal devotion;
• family prayer;
• intercession;
• warfare prayer;
• thanksgiving;
• praying in the Spirit;
• praying Scripture.

Do not pray only when there is a problem.

Build your altar before the battle comes.

4. DISCIPLINE OF VIGIL

Mark 13:33:

"Take ye heed, watch and pray..."

There are moments when spiritual vigilance is necessary.

A believer must learn to watch:

• his environment;
• relationships;
• dreams and spiritual burdens;
• temptations;
• opportunities;
• family needs;
• spiritual attacks;
• personal weaknesses.

Prayer without vigilance can leave the door open to what prayer has attempted to close.

5. DISCIPLINE OF FASTING

Matthew 6:16–18.

Fasting disciplines the body while intensifying spiritual attention toward God.

Fasting helps believers develop:

• self-control;
• spiritual sensitivity;
• dependence upon God;
• mastery over appetite;
• focused prayer.

But fasting is not a way to manipulate God.

We do not fast to force God.

We fast to humble ourselves, seek God and align ourselves with His will.

6. DISCIPLINE OF ATTENDING THE HOUSE OF GOD

Hebrews 10:25:

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together..."

Do not make church attendance dependent upon convenience.

Coming early is also a discipline.

If a programme begins at 8:00 a.m., spiritual discipline asks:

"What time should I leave home?"

Not:

"What time does the programme actually start?"

Coming early allows time for:

• prayer;
• preparation;
• worship;
• quiet reflection;
• helping others;
• serving;
• receiving instructions.

A disciplined believer does not constantly arrive after the blessing has begun.

7. DISCIPLINE OF LOVE FOR THE BRETHREN

John 13:34–35.

It is easy to love people who agree with you.

Spiritual maturity is demonstrated when you learn to:

• forgive;
• tolerate differences;
• encourage;
• serve;
• restore;
• pray for others;
• avoid unnecessary quarrels.

Love requires discipline.

Sometimes you must control your anger in order to preserve unity.

Sometimes you must remain silent rather than win an argument.

Sometimes you must forgive when your flesh wants revenge.

8. DISCIPLINE OF SERVICE

1 Peter 4:10.

Every believer should ask:

"How can God use me?"

Do not always come to church asking:

"What will God give me?"

Ask:

"What can I do for God?"

Be available for:

• evangelism;
• prayer;
• choir;
• ushering;
• children's ministry;
• follow-up;
• visitation;
• welfare;
• sanitation;
• media;
• administration;
• intercession;
• helping new converts.

Availability is part of spiritual discipline.

God cannot use a vessel that is permanently unavailable.

9. DISCIPLINE OF INTERCESSION

Ezekiel 22:30 says:

"I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge..."

Spiritual maturity moves beyond:

"Bless me."

to:

"Lord, use me to bless somebody."

Pray for:

• your family;
• church;
• pastors;
• missionaries;
• new converts;
• leaders;
• the lost;
• your community;
• nations;
• people under spiritual oppression.

Intercession is evidence that spiritual growth is taking place.

10. DISCIPLINE OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8.

Financial discipline is also spiritual discipline.

A believer should learn:

• faithful giving;
• generosity;
• budgeting;
• contentment;
• avoiding greed;
• honouring God with resources.

Giving should not be driven merely by emotion or pressure.

It should flow from:

faith + obedience + love + stewardship.

11. DISCIPLINE OF GOD'S WORD

Joshua 1:8:

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night..."

You cannot grow spiritually while remaining spiritually malnourished.

Develop a disciplined approach to:

• reading;
• studying;
• memorising;
• meditating;
• obeying;
• teaching God's Word.

Don't merely read the Bible.

Let the Bible read you.

Let it expose:

• attitudes;
• motives;
• habits;
• sins;
• weaknesses;
• wrong priorities.

12. DISCIPLINE OF TIME

Ephesians 5:15–16.

Everyone receives 24 hours.

The difference is how those hours are managed.

Ask:

How much time do I give God?

How much goes to:

• social media;
• television;
• entertainment;
• unnecessary conversations;
• sleep;
• gossip;
• meaningless activities?

Time discipline is destiny discipline.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

1. Genuine salvation

John 3:3.

2. Hunger for God

Psalm 42:1–2.

3. Love for God's Word

Psalm 119:97.

4. Obedience

John 14:15.

5. Self-denial

Luke 9:23.

6. Consistency

Galatians 6:9.

7. Humility

James 4:6.

8. Accountability

Proverbs 27:17.

9. Faith

Hebrews 11:6.

10. Dependence on the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:16.

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

1: Discipline must be Word-based

Isaiah 8:20.

2: Discipline must produce obedience

James 1:22.

3: Discipline must be consistent

1 Corinthians 15:58.

4: Discipline requires self-denial

Luke 9:23.

5: Discipline requires endurance

Hebrews 12:1–2.

6: Discipline must produce holiness

Hebrews 12:14.

7: Discipline should be Spirit-led

Galatians 5:16.

8: Discipline should produce fruit

Galatians 5:22–23.

9: Discipline requires separation from ungodliness

2 Corinthians 6:14–18.

10: Discipline should glorify God

1 Corinthians 10:31.

HEBREWS 12: THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE MODEL

Hebrews 12 gives us a powerful progression:

1. Remove the weight

Hebrews 12:1.

2. Remove the sin

Hebrews 12:1.

3. Run with patience

Hebrews 12:1.

4. Look unto Jesus

Hebrews 12:2.

5. Endure contradiction

Hebrews 12:3.

6. Accept God's correction

Hebrews 12:5–11.

7. Strengthen weak areas

Hebrews 12:12.

8. Pursue peace

Hebrews 12:14.

9. Pursue holiness

Hebrews 12:14.

10. Refuse spiritual defilement

Hebrews 12:15–16.

11. Remain grateful

Hebrews 12:28.

12. Serve God acceptably

Hebrews 12:28.

This is spiritual discipline.

WHAT SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE DELIVERS US FROM

Spiritual discipline helps protect us from:

• spiritual laziness;
• prayerlessness;
• biblical ignorance;
• temptation;
• fleshly domination;
• worldly entanglement;
• uncontrolled speech;
• bitterness;
• sexual immorality;
• financial irresponsibility;
• pride;
• idolatry;
• spiritual stagnation;
• backsliding.

Deliverance is not always only the casting out of something.

Sometimes deliverance means God gives you the discipline to stop returning to what He delivered you from.

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE AND DELIVERANCE

A person may receive deliverance but return to the same environment, habits and relationships that contributed to the problem.

Jesus warned about an unclean spirit returning to an empty house in Matthew 12:43–45.

Therefore:

Deliverance removes bondage; discipline helps maintain freedom.

After deliverance:

• fill yourself with God's Word;
• establish a prayer altar;
• change ungodly associations;
• remove sinful materials;
• maintain fellowship;
• practise obedience;
• submit to godly accountability.

Do not leave your spiritual house empty.

THE DANGER OF SPIRITUAL LAZINESS

Proverbs 24:30–34 describes the consequences of neglect.

Spiritual laziness can produce:

neglect → weakness → vulnerability → temptation → compromise → bondage.

The enemy does not always need to attack aggressively.

Sometimes he simply waits for a Christian to stop praying.

He waits for the Bible to remain closed.

He waits for church attendance to become irregular.

He waits for bitterness to grow.

He waits for compromise.

Therefore:

Stay spiritually awake.

SIGNS THAT YOU ARE GROWING SPIRITUALLY

You are growing when:

1. You obey God more quickly.
2. You sin less deliberately.
3. You repent more sincerely.
4. You forgive more readily.
5. You pray more consistently.
6. You hunger for Scripture.
7. You complain less.
8. You control your tongue.
9. You resist temptation better.
10. You love God's people.
11. You serve without always demanding recognition.
12. You become more generous.
13. You become more spiritually discerning.
14. You become less controlled by worldly pleasures.
15. You desire God's presence more than worldly applause.

THE COST OF DISCIPLINE

Spiritual discipline can be:

Costly.
Difficult.
Uncomfortable.
Lonely.
Demanding.

But remember:

No athlete wins without training.

No soldier becomes battle-ready without discipline.

No professional becomes excellent without practice.

No student becomes knowledgeable without study.

No farmer harvests without labour.

No believer reaches maturity without spiritual discipline.

The temporary pain of discipline is cheaper than the permanent consequences of indiscipline.

THE GLORY AT THE END OF DISCIPLINE

Hebrews 12:11:

"...afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness..."

Daniel's discipline eventually produced promotion.

Joseph's discipline eventually produced leadership.

David's wilderness discipline prepared him for kingship.

Esther's preparation positioned her for deliverance of a nation.

The three Hebrew men stood in the fire and came out without the smell of smoke.

Jesus endured the cross and received the glory that followed.

Your discipline today may be preparing you for a tomorrow you cannot yet see.

PRACTICAL 30-DAY SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE PLAN

DAILY

Morning

• Thanksgiving
• Bible reading
• Prayer
• Declaration
• Ask God for direction

During the day

• Guard your tongue
• Practise integrity
• Pray briefly and continually
• Resist temptation
• Look for an opportunity to serve

Evening

• Examine your day
• Repent where necessary
• Give thanks
• Pray for family and others
• Plan tomorrow

WEEKLY

• Attend church faithfully.
• Participate in fellowship.
• Give towards God's work.
• Intercede for others.
• Set aside time for deeper Bible study.
• Evaluate your spiritual progress.

PERIODICALLY

• Fast as led by God.
• Undertake extended prayer.
• Review your spiritual habits.
• Identify destructive weights.
• Seek godly counsel.
• Recommit yourself to God's purpose.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

Raise your right hand and declare:

1. I receive grace for spiritual discipline, in the name of Jesus!

2. Every power making me spiritually lazy, break, in the name of Jesus!

3. My prayer altar shall not die, in the name of Jesus!

4. My hunger for the Word of God shall increase, in the name of Jesus!

5. I receive grace to obey God completely, in the name of Jesus!

6. Every appetite fighting my spiritual growth, die, in the name of Jesus!

7. Every weight preventing me from running my Christian race, be removed, in the name of Jesus!

8. Every satanic enticement assigned to pull me away from God, fail, in the name of Jesus!

9. I shall not bow to the gods of this world, in the name of Jesus!

10. I shall serve the Lord and no other god, in the name of Jesus!

11. The spirit of compromise shall not rule my life, in the name of Jesus!

12. My tongue shall become an instrument of life and not destruction, in the name of Jesus!

13. I receive grace to be faithful in the house of God, in the name of Jesus!

14. I receive grace to be available and useful to God, in the name of Jesus!

15. Every power assigned to disconnect me from my divine assignment, die, in the name of Jesus!

16. My spiritual eyes shall open to every satanic trap, in the name of Jesus!

17. I shall not exchange my destiny for temporary pleasure, in the name of Jesus!

18. Every evil habit fighting my spiritual progress, break, in the name of Jesus!

19. I receive grace for consistent fasting and prayer, in the name of Jesus!

20. My life shall produce the fruit of righteousness, in the name of Jesus!

21. Every spiritual stagnation in my life, expire, in the name of Jesus!

22. Every power drawing me back into former sins, be destroyed, in the name of Jesus!

23. I shall finish my Christian race well, in the name of Jesus!

24. I shall not die in the wilderness of spiritual indiscipline, in the name of Jesus!

25. I shall grow in grace, knowledge, faith and holiness, in the name of Jesus!

DELIVERANCE PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, deliver me from every form of spiritual laziness and lukewarmness, in the name of Jesus.

2. Every satanic power weakening my prayer life, be destroyed, in the name of Jesus.

3. Every evil appetite controlling my life, lose your power, in the name of Jesus.

4. Every power making me love worldly pleasures more than God, break, in the name of Jesus.

5. Every spirit of compromise assigned against my Christian testimony, die, in the name of Jesus.

6. Every demonic enticement designed to pull me away from God's purpose, catch fire, in the name of Jesus.

7. Every spiritual weight preventing my progress, be removed, in the name of Jesus.

8. Every power causing repeated spiritual failure, be destroyed, in the name of Jesus.

9. Every evil habit that has become stronger than my determination, break, in the name of Jesus.

10. Every power attacking my consistency in prayer, fasting and Bible study, be silenced, in the name of Jesus.

11. Every power assigned to make me spiritually blind to satanic traps, die, in the name of Jesus.

12. Every ancestral pattern of spiritual instability operating in my life, break, in the name of Jesus.

13. Every power making me despise correction, depart from me, in the name of Jesus.

14. Every spirit of rebellion against divine instruction, leave my life, in the name of Jesus.

15. Every power making me unavailable for God's work, be destroyed, in the name of Jesus.

16. Every satanic power attacking my love for the brethren, be uprooted, in the name of Jesus.

17. Every power manipulating my tongue into gossip, lies, insults and destruction, be broken, in the name of Jesus.

18. Every power stealing my time and diverting me from divine purpose, be destroyed, in the name of Jesus.

19. Every power making me spiritually dry, receive the fire of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

20. Lord, restore every lost spiritual discipline and every neglected altar in my life, in the name of Jesus.

PRAYERS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

1. Father, give me a deeper hunger for You and Your Word, in the name of Jesus.

2. Lord, make me a disciplined Christian whose life brings glory to Your name, in the name of Jesus.

3. Father, give me grace to obey You even when obedience is difficult, in the name of Jesus.

4. Lord, teach me to deny myself, carry my cross and follow Christ daily, in the name of Jesus.

5. Father, establish my prayer altar and let it burn continually, in the name of Jesus.

6. Lord, make me spiritually sensitive, vigilant and discerning, in the name of Jesus.

7. Father, give me grace to overcome temptation and reject satanic enticement, in the name of Jesus.

8. Lord, make my heart a dwelling place for Your Word, in the name of Jesus.

9. Father, make me useful in Your kingdom and available for Your service, in the name of Jesus.

10. Lord, let my Christian life become increasingly fruitful and Christlike, in the name of Jesus.

A PERSONAL CALL TO REPENTANCE

Beloved, spiritual discipline begins with repentance.

Perhaps God is showing you that you have become spiritually careless.

Perhaps prayer has become irregular.

Perhaps the Bible has become neglected.

Perhaps church attendance has become optional.

Perhaps your tongue has become uncontrolled.

Perhaps worldly entertainment has taken the place of spiritual fellowship.

Perhaps you have compromised your convictions.

Perhaps you have become too busy for God.

Perhaps you have allowed an ungodly relationship to weaken your faith.

Perhaps you have stopped serving.

Today, God is calling you back.

Do not defend the condition.

Repent.

1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us.

Tell the Lord:

"Father, I repent of every area of spiritual indiscipline in my life. Give me a new heart, a steadfast spirit and grace to obey You. Restore my prayer altar, my hunger for Your Word, my love for Your house and my passion for Your kingdom. Let my life bring glory to You, in the name of Jesus."

FINAL EXHORTATION

The greatest question is not:

"How much do I know about God?"

It is:

"How much of what I know am I practising?"

The three Hebrew men knew God and stood.

Daniel knew God and refused defilement.

Jesus knew the Father's will and surrendered Himself.

Paul knew the prize and disciplined his body.

The athlete trains.

The soldier trains.

The student studies.

The professional develops himself.

The farmer cultivates.

Why should the child of God expect spiritual maturity without spiritual discipline?

Hebrews 12:28 says:

"...let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."

Therefore, church:

Discipline your heart.
Discipline your tongue.
Discipline your appetite.
Discipline your time.
Discipline your prayer life.
Discipline your giving.
Discipline your service.
Discipline your relationships.
Discipline your Bible study.
Discipline your walk with God.

And above all:

LOOK UNTO JESUS.

Hebrews 12:2.

He is the Author and Finisher of our faith.

CLOSING PROPHETIC DECLARATION

I declare over your life:

You will not die spiritually immature.

You will not lose your destiny through indiscipline.

You will not exchange eternal treasures for temporary pleasures.

You will not bow to the gods of this world.

You will not be captured by satanic enticement.

Your prayer altar shall burn again.

Your hunger for God's Word shall increase.

Your spiritual eyes shall open.

Your ears shall hear the voice of God.

Your heart shall become steadfast.

Your tongue shall speak life.

Your hands shall become useful in the kingdom.

Your feet shall walk in righteousness.

You shall grow in grace.

You shall grow in knowledge.

You shall grow in faith.

You shall grow in holiness.

You shall grow in spiritual authority.

You shall grow in usefulness.

You shall finish your race.

You shall obtain your crown.

And after you have endured the discipline of the journey, the glory of God shall be manifested in your life.

In the name of Jesus! Amen.

WORD OF TRUTH

"Spiritual growth does not happen merely because time passes; it happens when a believer consistently submits his heart, habits, desires and conduct to God."

Remember:

The discipline may be painful today, but the fruit will be glorious tomorrow.

Obey God.
Serve God.
Deny yourself.
Reject compromise.
Run the race.
Look unto Jesus.
Grow in grace.
Finish well.