Whitney argues that spiritual disciples promote spiritual growth. Spiritual
disciplines can further be broken down into personal and interpersonal disciplines,
and the entire case made by Mr. Whitney is that these activities (not attitudes)
are all based on what Jesus presented to be more like Himself.[1] “God’s eternal
plan ensures that every Christian will ultimately conform to Christlikeness. We will
be changed “when he appears” so that “we shall be like him” (1 John 3:2).”[2]
d d d d d d d d d d I agree that the purpose of godliness or to be more like Christ is the goal
of practicing spiritual disciplines. It is so vital to grow our spiritual side in the
Word of God, that Paul often speaks of this as training for an Olympic event. “ If
you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus
Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have
carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables and exercise yourself
toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable
for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come
(1 Timothy 4:6-8).” To be a good minister of Jesus Christ is to follow in the
doctrine of Christ.
d d d d d d d d d d Three spiritual disciplines that I must strengthen, is my activity of delving
the spiritual awesomeness of God’s Word. I have recently started to uncover this
fact as I have started listening to the Word on audiobook on my way to work. It
has helped me get through the day, and I often meditate on it throughout the day.
Currently I aim to love the Word as David exclaims throughout 119 and hope to
be in love with it that much! “Bible intake is not only the most important Spiritual
Discipline, but also the broadest.”[3]
d d d d d d d d d d Another spiritual discipline that I need to implement is prayer. “But God
not only has spoken clearly and powerfully to us through Christ and the
Scriptures, but He also has a Very Large Ear continuously open to us. He will hear
every prayer of His children, even when our prayers are weaker than a snowflake.
That’s why, of all the Spiritual Disciplines, prayer is second only to the intake of
God’s Word in importance.”[4] Currently I am implementing prayer by sticking
sticky notes on my bathroom mirror. I figured…I brush my teeth every day, I
shouldn’t miss those prayer notes, and pray at least while I’m brushing my teeth!.
d d d d d d d d d d A third spiritual discipline I need to improve is worship. “Now let’s
describe what we’ve seen. The word worship descends from the Saxon word
weorthscype, which later became worthship. To worship God means to ascribe
the proper worth to God, to magnify His worthiness of praise, or better, to
approach and address God as He is worthy.”[5] I often forget the worthiness of
God when it comes to His majesty, partly because it is so mind-boggling to
imagine…and often more times because I do not take the time out of my
mundane life to appreciate His worth-ness. This is complete honesty; however I
will start implementing change. I will worship the Lord in the way I serve Him in
evangelism and obeying His commands to love Him above all else, and my
neighbor as myself. I will also start to take time in the morning to sing to Him
and glorify Him.
d d d d d d d d d
References
Ask Pastor John. What are the Spiritual Disciplines? Episode 762. (Got Questions
Ministries, 2021) Retrieved from
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/97058/pages/watch-what-are-spiritual-
disciplines?module_item_id=7946320
Donald S. Whitney. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. (Colorado Springs:
NavPress, 2014)
[1] Ask Pastor John. What are the Spiritual Disciplines? Episode 762. (Got
Questions Ministries, 2021) Retrieved from
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/97058/pages/watch-what-are-spiritual-
disciplines?module_item_id=7946320
[2] Donald S. Whitney. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. (Colorado Springs:
NavPress, 2014)., 22
[3] Ibid 23
[4] Donald S. Whitney. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. (Colorado Springs:
NavPress, 2014)., 80
[5] Ibid 103
