Last Sunday we focused on the changes that a renewed mind will make in our lifestyle. I mentioned in the message that there are 13-14 spiritual disciplines depending on your source that believers have embraced for generations. Here’s a list I found online:
Seven Disciplines of Abstinence — Letting go — (I Peter 2:11– putting off)
1. Solitude - Spending time alone with God. In our incredibly busy times, we need to prioritize alone time in the audience of One. This is indispensable to spiritual growth. Perhaps we must let go of some of our busyness.
2. Fasting - Abstaining from food to express our dependence on God. Fasting is meant to be an act of humbling oneself before God to seek His help and deliverance. It is often associated with repentance (Deuteronomy 8:3-5; Matthew 4:2;6:16-18).
3. Denial - Intentionally denying yourself certain legitimate pleasures to find your sufficiency in God and/or a higher fulfillment in God (Matthew 16:24-26).
4. Sacrifice - Giving of ourselves and our resources beyond what seems reasonable to express our dependency on God (time/service/money). C.S. Lewis wrote, "… if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our charitable expenditure excludes them" (see: Matthew 6:24; Luke 17:10).
5. Secrecy - Living before an audience of one and doing things without others knowing about it (Matthew 6:5-6; 25:34-40; Philippians 2:3; Hebrews 6:10).
6. Simplicity - Learning to live with less. Meeting basic needs with joy and contentment (see: Proverbs 30:7-9; 1 Timothy 6:6-8). "We resolve to renounce waste and oppose extravagance in personal living, clothing and housing, travel and church buildings. We also accept the distinction between necessities and luxuries, creative hobbies and empty status symbols, modesty and vanity, occasional celebrations and normal routine, and between the service of God and slavery to fashion. Where to draw the line requires conscientious thought and decision by us, together with members of our family." (Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization).
7. Silence - Talking less and listening more. Being quiet before the Lord and others (Psalm 23:2; Isaiah 30:15; James 1:19). This is a lost but needed discipline.
Seven Disciplines of Activity—Engagement– (Romans 13:12-14; Ephesians 6:10-12— Putting on)
1. Study - Reading, meditating on and investigating the Scriptures. Nourishing your soul on God's Word (Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalm 19,119: I Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12). Study Christ - in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:2-4).
2. Worship - Offering wholehearted praise to God (contra. Matthew 15:8); giving God glory; exalting God by declaring His excellencies/praises (I Peter 2:9; Psalm 95:6-7; Revelation 5:11-14). Use psalms, hymns, spiritual songs - "singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-19).
3. Prayer - Pouring out your heart to God in: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (Ps. 62:8; | Peter 5:7; Phil. 4:5-7; Hebrews 4:16 - invitations to come to God. "Draw near to God..." (James 4:8; see: Psalm 73:25-28)
4. Fellowship - Mutual caring and ministry in the body of Christ. Trying to live for Jesus disconnected from a body of believers is to neglect a key resource for spiritual growth (Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:23-25).
5.Submission - Humbling yourself before God and others-being accountable (Psalm 51:17: James 4:7: I Peter 5:5-6: Hebrews 13:17)
6.Service - God intends for us to find our greatest joy in giving our time, talent and resources for the benefit of others (Mark 10:45; Luke 17:10; John 13:13-17; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:16; Philippians 2:3-8).
7. Witnessing - Inviting others to believe on Christ. Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me- so send | you" (John 20:21; See also: Matthew 5:13-16; 28:19-20; Acts 1:8).
Dallas Willard divides the disciplines into two classes: disciplines of abstinence (solitude, silence, fasting, frugality, chastity, secrecy, and sacrifice) and disciplines of engagement (study, worship, celebration, service, prayer, fellowship, confession, and submission). The point is there are many habits and disciplines that shape our activity and heart for a life of honoring God.