Spiritual Disciplines: What are they and what do they consist of?

Learn all about the Spiritual Disciplines

Talking about these actions implies learning to know the Christian life better through a training of thoughts, based on spiritual beliefs in order to produce changes in character or behavior. The spiritual disciplines are not part of sin, it is a basic element of the Christian life.

In routine social life it is important to have varied disciplines to be able to achieve goals, in the spiritual world the same thing happens, in each action that is intended to be carried out it is necessary to have a discipline, for this reason when we speak of spirituality, we must consider the behaviors that make us grow as a person and help achieve maturity.

There are spiritual alternatives that can help further personal growth; the following article, Spiritual Liberation, presents a current of religious thought that can help in this regard.

For a greater understanding of growth in spiritual life, you can explore more about character strengths and how human virtues influence them.

Why is it important to maintain Christian disciplines?

Like everything in life, that involves discipline, helps us to be people committed to what we do, feel or manifest. Discipline keeps us closer to God, because by having discipline to read the Bible, pray, forgive, help our neighbor, we focus on obeying His Word, which after all is what every Christian should do, not just read the Bible but obey it and put it to work in our own lives.

Having Christian discipline does not help in:

Our Growth

When actions are carried out that maintain correct behaviors in man, we speak of spiritual growth, to achieve this it is important to know the spiritual disciplines. The process allows development and growth in each action and place of life, so that salvation can be sought in this way.

Growth is determined in the same measure and in a disciplined way by seeking God through the figure of Christ, which is one of the most special ways to achieve the individual well-being and peace that human beings so desperately need.

It is interesting to note that spiritual disciplines not only enrich character, but also strengthen our beliefs, as detailed in the article on Catholic apologetics , which seeks to understand and defend the faith in an informed way.

fulfill our purpose

Like any process of renewal, the spiritual disciplines seek the development of the inner being which is transformed through the figure of Christ. Each believer must understand the renewal in Jesus as a process in which, from within, the changes that he needs to grow begin to take place, and that is where the true purpose of the spiritual disciplines is found.

The apostle Paul said that it was important to move away from the old nature when he was converting. With this we interpret that the fundamental purpose of a Christian is valued in the way in which he carries out his renewal towards a new knowledge and vision of the main creative figure, which is God:

"Who is renewed to knowledge in the image of him that created him" (Colossians 3:9-10).

Avoid getting confused

Today, there are many proposals that attempt to help people through supposed spiritual disciplines. They can be found in books, videos, websites, and any other information related to this topic on the internet. However, some ideas go too far and truly confuse the faithful.

It is observed how the content touches the mystical and extra-biblical to try to convince about spiritual ideas, which in reality do not leave anything in human thoughts or actions. The mystical tries to position itself in human spirituality, confusing and denying the historical actions of man.

To delve deeper into the topic of spiritual disciplines, you can also consult the article on how they can accompany this process of personal and spiritual growth.

These Eastern mystical realms, even within Catholicism itself or in the so-called New Age movement, are ideas born from leaders who have been confused in their thinking and have failed to achieve true spiritual balance, justifying their actions and misplacing spiritual disciplines before all human action, which is aberrant.

The problem with these movements is that they don't accept the understanding of spiritual disciplines; they lead their believers to believe in processes and mechanisms that confuse and fill their thoughts with doubt. This, of course, crumbles over time, unlike Christian actions, which are based on scripture and solely obeying God's command.

Every action of man is determined by the grace of God; the article Meditation on the Word of God offers content related to this topic.

 What are these Christian disciplines?

Knowing how spiritual disciplines can change a person's behavior, it's also important to know what they are, in order to teach them and extend them to those unfamiliar with their application. We then have the spiritual disciplines as follows:

personal type

It consists of the particular actions that the faithful or believers perform on their own, without needing to be forced or coerced. They are natural situations that are carried out through exhortation and seek spiritual learning through routine processes, whether daily or weekly. Among the most important we have:

• individual prayer

Which can be done every day anywhere, you can take about 5 minutes to talk with God.

• reading the scriptures

Where meditation and memorization of biblical content is sought, in order to achieve inner peace and answers to many questions and also that through them we are transformed into better people imitating our Lord Jesus Christ at all times.

• The worship of God

privately, which can be carried out by visiting the temples or simply in a secluded place and only from our home.

• Fasting

It is considered a vital action to demonstrate love for God, and it is believed that one should be disciplined and perform this type of behavior at least once a week.

• Study topics related to Christian spirituality

A place where you can learn everything related to the love of God and His actions. To enrich your knowledge about habits that can improve your personal and spiritual life, you can read spiritual books that can be of great help.

collective type

These are disciplines that involve spiritual actions and behaviors performed together, in a group, or among several people. These include the meetings or commitments generated by attending the Eucharist or Sunday Mass, where each person assumes their role as a Christian in order to face the visit to the house of God. Let's see:

• Group or corporate prayer

It can be done in churches or simply at home with family and friends, it is generally recommended to do it every day.

• worship in congregation

It consists of actions of praise, offering and preaching to God in the places designated for this purpose.

• The Lord's Supper or Holy Supper

It is one of the spiritual disciplines that involves the presence of God and that was imposed by our Lord Jesus Christ before being crucified on the Cross of Calvary.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Institution of the Lord’s Supper “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you: That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me.” In the same way he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. So then, as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes.”

• communion between brothers

Where every Christian is duty-bound to make a commitment to their brothers, it is a way to redeem themselves from negative actions and consider that the presence of God allows them to unite with other human beings.

Importance of having spiritual disciplines

Spiritual disciplines are of great importance in the learning processes of any person. With them we seek in the short term to receive something more than to achieve something, they are means that allow us to open our body and mind so that God can enter us.

It is also considered a means of grace where the fullness of God's love towards any human being is experienced, even without the need to profess Christianity. Which is an act of mercy from God towards those faithful who are spiritually empty.

To understand more about the importance of maintaining a balanced life, you can read about God's timing is perfect , which addresses the relationship between time and our spiritual actions.

Integrate multiple disciplines

In our life it is always important to maintain the integration of actions with other disciplines, the fundamental idea is to cultivate a direct relationship with God, in this way we connect our entire spiritual environment to daily actions. Many people maintain internal divisions which does not help improve the internal relationship of our spirituality.

Spiritual disciplines seek to fulfill the duties of every Christian, establish a relationship with God, and maintain emotional balance. Encountering God is one of the most important goals Christians should consider in seeking emotional stability and spiritual balance.

Furthermore, the practice of spiritual disciplines fosters an understanding of concepts such as what hope is , which allows us to better cope with life's difficulties.

They promote consistency

One of the fundamental benefits of spiritual disciplines is that they foster consistency and perseverance in human behavior, important elements when seeking to achieve a consistent level of spirituality. Every action we take and the energy we invest in having a brief but intense moment with God helps us create a commitment for life.

Sometimes these moments are fleeting and don't last long, but good Christians should consider that these actions should be reinforced through other spiritual disciplines, such as daily prayer, attendance at Sunday Mass, among other things.

Regularity in reading the Bible allows us to gain strength as time passes, which gives us spiritual tools to face adverse situations.

If you wish to understand more about how to deal with sins and strengthen our faith, the article on the seven deadly sins can be very enlightening.

Gospel Approach

True transformation takes place when we seek to draw closer to the gospel. It is believed that religious practices in themselves do not lead to any spiritual transformation; however, spiritual satisfaction comes when we truly immerse ourselves in the gospel, in the word through Jesus.

Satisfying ourselves with Christ allows us to obtain God's love and is the moment when spiritual disciplines become effective, keeping our minds and hearts connected to the glory of Jesus. Thus, the closer we are to God through the gospel, the more change will gradually come.

Stay close to God

It is another benefit offered by spiritual disciplines, which help the faithful not to lead a life enslaving to ideas or closed criteria, practice allows opening spaces to appreciate what is important in life and to be able to put into practice each situation. considered in the word, which was one of the most important actions of Jesus.

produces missionaries

Every spiritual discipline begins privately with small, one-on-one conversations with God. Prayer is the channel through which we are heard and allows the Supreme Being to establish His glory for all of us. Over time and with great perseverance, all sacred and spiritual messages are conveyed.

Missionaries grow when they offer freedom of thought and manage to give help to those who spiritually need it. But that function is achieved only by keeping the actions of the spiritual disciplines up to date with our experiences.

Christian practices

The primary function of spiritual disciplines lies in how they are put into practice. Furthermore, they are actions of thought that directly involve everything related to God. However, it is always important to know how these thoughts are put into action, allowing us to crystallize the environment related to God. Therefore, it is important to understand some situations.

Develop good habits

It is a way in which all thoughts become almost routine actions, adapting thoughts and ideas to the realization of a spiritual discipline, helps to maintain constancy. But beware, habits are sometimes not very good, care must be taken not to go from habit to obsession.

Discipline, whether spiritual or not, is something we practice consistently and helps us do things we wouldn't do on our own. Therefore, actions must be trained through motivation and reward, which is the gift God has intended for all of us.

The spiritual habit helps to improve and defeat mental situations that lead to vice and laziness. They can also be considered as bad habits, actions of fanaticism and uncontrolled obsession, in this way, they become an act of liberation; thus the spiritual disciplines are transformed into acts of joy and satisfaction.

The development and implementation of new habits eliminates the unpleasant taste in our mouths that comes from harm. They establish in our minds subsequent actions that we will pursue by any means necessary to feel comfortable with ourselves and, of course, with God. A habit is an action that, when developed, allows us to perform actions efficiently and optimally. In the case of spiritual situations, it fosters growth as individuals.

On the other hand, it is also essential to cultivate the leadership of Jesus in our actions and thoughts, as he becomes a role model for the Christian life.

grow in grace

When speaking in these terms, Jesus is being considered as the fundamental means to achieve the path to peace, well-being and, above all, closeness with God. That is why the spiritual disciplines lead directly to obtaining that grace, promote love and stimulate thoughts of gratitude, kindness and mercy.

It is important to grow in God's grace by sincerely practicing true disciplines. However, some people who seek depth in their thoughts pursue deeper spiritual disciplines, achieving levels of spirituality where the expression of love for others is manifested directly.

It is considered a way in which prayer to God comes directly, a unique process of connection between a person and God is activated in an unrepeatable way, the sensations are achieved through those who experience it, sometimes they have no words to describe them , that is why the knowledge of God through practice leads directly to granting that grace.

Abstinence from things that are not pleasing to God

It's an action that involves self-denial through situations or things we enjoy, but limited in its pursuit of closer ties to God. It comprises a small group of individual activities that require great concentration and faith. Let's see:

The sin

Because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

Sin is contrary to God's will for our lives and leads us, from not repenting to a life without eternity in Him, but to eternal punishment.

That is why we must obey His Word, following its recommendations:

• Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, inordinate passions, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

• Order my steps by your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. Psalm 119:133

• Have mercy on me, O God, according to your mercy; According to the multitude of your mercy erase my rebellions. Wash me more and more of my wickedness, And cleanse me of my sin. Psalms 51:1-2

• He who walks in integrity walks confident; But he who perverts his ways will be broken.

Removing sin from our lives and entering into worship

Actions of this type determine in what way the connection with God as well as with other people will be made. Worship is a way of establishing spiritual communication with God and allowing His grace to enter; this promotes self-love, towards God and above all towards the other most needy people, let's see how they are:

Worship is a way of praising God and achieving goodness and beauty through the message, which is manifested through words, songs, and rituals.

By reading the word, alternative connections are made where answers to many problems are directly received and others are reached more easily.

Prayer, considered the most immense form of communication with God that human beings have, helps improve our way of maintaining peace and connecting day by day with the commands of the supreme being.

Soul friendship is an action of connection directly linked to spiritual disciplines that promotes participation with other disciples of Jesus through ongoing prayer.

Personal reflection is the thoughts we send to God to seek answers to situations we think can be changed or reinvented in our minds. We pay attention to our inner thoughts to seek growth in our love for God.

Service is a form of connection, where all forms of love for others are revealed. Likewise, service is related to the things we must do to demonstrate compassion and love towards God.

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name because you have done wonders. Since ancient times your plans are faithful and safe. Isaiah 25:1

How is spiritual discipline achieved?

If you want to excel or excel in life, it's important to be highly disciplined. Just like any athlete, musician, or professional, certain actions are required where consistency and perseverance allow for success. When discipline is practiced effectively, it doesn't become a chore.

However, training through disciplined actions allows for short- and medium-term benefits. In the case of spiritual disciplines, actions must be focused so that they are performed calmly, without pressure, and with joy. For example, when memorizing scriptures, one must avoid creating situations of internal thought that would disrupt the reading, so that it can be done peacefully.

By not creating a good environment for the habit, many things interfere, limiting concentration and increasing disturbance. This limits the desired learning. Believing in the Bible means recognizing the Word and therefore knowing how to memorize it, but not its entire content, but rather its message, which is the way in which one should better understand the Bible.

For those seeking to strengthen their relationship with God and stay on the right path, the article on what the Bible says about divorce may also be a valuable read.

Things to consider

• Every Christian should have as their main action the consideration of these activities as a way to lead life in God in a balanced and stable way. The term spiritual disciplines determines very varied thoughts, ranging from thinking about complicated situations to believing that they are extremely simple things.
• The current time allows indiscipline to be observed as a reaction behavior towards established factors, that is, they are part of the actions to reject ideas that they consider outdated and out of time. Some specialists in other non-spiritual areas believe that this age is totally undisciplined.
• Christian behavior is one of the few human actions that has been able to maintain discipline. Humankind has created thousands of laws to seek social order; however, it is very important to know that, despite the passage of time, Christian disciplines have been maintained throughout the years. Let's see why.
• Its foundation is the Bible, so it is not a condition implemented and applied by man. It also serves to more easily access God's commandments. This helps balance the daily actions in people's lives. However, the Word directly tells us that every action is part of our life.
• The spiritual disciplines directly connect thoughts with the precepts of Jesus, fostering belief and deciphering why it is the only way to reach the kingdom of God, something quite incomprehensible to some undisciplined people.

Having spiritual disciplines blesses our lives

• The practices of the disciplines are not presented to keep them in a list and carry them out when we consider that we need them. Nor are they there to fulfill and satisfy some desire; they are instruments to seek human growth through the spirit.
• Prayer, reading, memorization and the practice of kindness are fundamentals of spiritual discipline that lead directly to achieving the path of salvation. They represent the moment where God establishes to change the mind and offers visualizations to appreciate the best of life, the imitation towards the actions of Jesus allows to obtain the grace of God.
• The example of Christian leaders
• Through the implementation of daily habits, spiritual disciplines lead directly to actions that foster these actions in others. Motivation is created when faith in religion offers us alternatives to be happier in the world, and especially in God and ourselves. Many disciplines are defined through the Bible and are the basis for cultivating faith in the faithful.
• No action of a spiritual nature should be carried out in a forced way. The work of the spiritual leaders of any religion consists of creating motivation through their example, to seek the personal and spiritual growth of each human being.
• One of the characteristics of leaders is to motivate, encourage and exhort followers to implement spiritual disciplines that lead them to have a better relationship with God through prayer and reading the word, refraining from sin and practices that They take them away from God.
• Each action is presented by means of examples that are manifested in the word, the Bible is the best channel to finish knowing and implementing the actions related to the spiritual commitment of the Christian faithful.

I'm leaving you this video on purposeful Christian leadership. A true leader teaches by example and fulfills all those Christian disciplines in his or her own life, such as prayer, forgiveness, preaching the Word of God, worship, and many others.