Consider the story of Esau in Genesis 25:29-34. Esau, hungry and weary, traded his birthright for a bowl of stew. In that moment, he chose what he wanted now over what he wanted most. How often do we make similar trades? We exchange time in prayer for fleeting entertainment, or we let anger spill out instead of choosing patience and forbearance.

I recently heard someone quote a coach with the following statement: “Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.” What a powerful statement. This coach emphasizes what is true about discipline: Discipline is about making choices. When considering your growth in Christ, this is especially true.

Let’s begin by reflecting on what discipline means for those of us who follow Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:27, says, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Paul understood that discipline is not merely a physical act but also a spiritual act of worship as well — a deliberate choice to align our desires with God’s will. How often do we face the temptation to indulge in what we want now — perhaps to skip church just this week, an extra hour of sleep, a mindless scroll through social media, or even a grumbling spirit — rather than pursuing what we want most: a deeper relationship with Christ where we live life with a God-honoring, Christ-exalting purpose and the joy of obedience?

Understanding Discipline

Discipline emphasizes direction more than it does deprivation. Many times we think of what we have to give up in life when we think of living it as a disciplined person. But, in reality, our idea of discipline should be much greater. It is about the path as much as it is the individual step. Consider what Solomon urges us to do: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Prov 3:5-6). When we choose what we want most — God’s glory, His righteousness, and His plan for our lives — we allow Him to direct our paths, even when the immediate gratification of “now” feels so alluring.

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