A Man's Guide To The Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual disciplines are the regular practices men cultivate when they want a closer walk with Christ. The spiritual disciplines can help us break a cycle or get out of a rut. Disciplines are the spiritual habits by which we cultivate a deeper relationship with the Lord of heaven and earth. We perform the disciplines because we want to please God, to lead peaceable lives, to be godly husbands, to raise godly children, and to be men of God. An athlete who lifts weights as part of a training regimen probably doesn't lift just because he loves pumping iron. He probably wants to improve his strength and endurance (and possibly his appearance). Similarly, the disciplines are not ends in themselves--they are a means to an end. Spiritual disciplines do nothing to improve your record with God. We don't perform the disciplines to make God happy (or avoid His wrath), or to earn favor or merit with God. All the merit we need, we already have in Christ. We place our trust in God--not in the disciplines. Nevertheless, disciplines demonstrate to God how serious we are about following Him, and they also help us see how serious we are as well. When all is said and done, spiritual disciplines are the designated means for us to grown in this relationship that we have with Jesus. God is always speaking, so if we don't hear Him, it's not because He has suddenly gone silent. It is more likely that we aren't listening--or perhaps don't know how to listen. --From A Man's Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines.…