If the enemy wanted to derail your attempts to grow in godliness, how do you think he’d accomplish it? Do you think he’d tempt you with really big, bad sins? Probably not. I think he’d use distractions or busyness…or how about an undisciplined life? In 1 Timothy 4:7, we are exhorted to train ourselves for godliness. Training requires discipline; we see it in athletes, medics, teachers… in any career, so why would it be an exception in our pursuit of godliness? Discipline enables us to fulfill the God-given responsibilities we are called to do. The term “Train” that Paul uses in this passage is a Greek word, “gymnasium,” which was used in New Testament times to refer to exercise or work out. In a sense, Paul is calling us into a spiritual workout. He says in this passage that while physical workouts are of value, godliness is of greater value, as it holds the promise for both the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8).
The call to train demands we direct our energy towards godliness. “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified,” writes Paul (1 Corinthians 9:27). Remember Paul’s instruction to “train” for godliness? Just a few sentences later, he comments on this command, saying, “for this we labor and strive” (1 Timothy 4:9). In the Greek, labour means “strenuous toil,” and strive is the word that gives us “agonize” in English. In other words, Paul isn’t promising us a cushy, low-impact workout. Spiritual disciplines require a serious commitment and a “no-pain, no-gain” effort. Athletes in serious training willingly undergo hours of discipline and pain to meet their goal and win the prize.
As Christian women, our lives should be about submitting ourselves to God’s will. We need to eliminate every association, habit, and tendency that hinders godliness. The writer of Hebrews writes about this in Hebrews 12:1, calling us to “…throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and to run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
So what disciplines mark a godly woman? Christian author Barbara Hughes highlights and summarizes them well in her book, ‘Disciplines of a Godly Woman.’ In this blog, we’ll journey through the disciplines she highlights in her book.
The Gospel: The Source of all Godliness
The gospel is a woman’s first and most important discipline, for it is the source of godliness. To be a godly woman, you must know what this gospel is, believe it, and make it the centre of your life. Sisters in Christ, think of it! In the Gospel, we need not have an identity crisis. The Gospel defines us. By it, we know who we are; women (female by design) created in God’s image, born in sin (Psalm 51:5) but saved by grace (Ephesians 2:4-5). The Gospel motivates us, giving us purpose in life for God’s glory (Colossians 3:17), and it also satisfies us. God tells us in 2 Peter 1:3 that his divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through our knowledge of him. Again, in John 3:38, the Lord says that those who believe in him, out of their hearts, flow rivers of living water. We therefore lack nothing because he who is in us is the source of all satisfaction, and he indeed satisfies us.
Submission: The Posture of Godliness
It’s saddening that submission, a virtue that should be central to a woman’s identity as a child of God, has become offensive and despised. Submission means to yield to God’s authority. The message of the Bible is clear: Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11)! Bringing our lives into submission to his will is the key to being a godly woman. (Philippians 2:8-11). It is also the path to joy. Submission is to choose God’s way over our own (James 4:7-10). We must discipline ourselves to submit to God’s loving rule and order, for this is God’s will in the Gospel (Luke 9:24).
Prayer: Submission’s Lifeline
In John Bunyan’s book, Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian was given a weapon called All-Prayer. With it, he could stand firm when everything else seemed to fail. With All-Prayer, he could prevail against the fiends that beset him in the Valley of the Shadow. When he poured out his soul in prayer, they (the fiends) went back and left him alone. We need to pray at all times (Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18). This is why.
1. Because prayer is the source of power for growth and perseverance in our spiritual lives.
2. Prayer bends our wills to God’s will. Prayer is not about getting God to do my bidding, but the shaping and bending of my will until it aligns with his. Continual prayer is God’s will for us; we must always be “looking up.” Prayer is a Christian’s breath, in the words of preacher John MacArthur.
Dear sister, prayerlessness is a sin because it is a sign of our lack of dependence on God. Do you desire to be a godly woman? Pray at all times, on every occasion, every time, through all of life.
Meditation: Submission’s Education
Meditation begins with the devotional exercise of listening to the Word. The words of Scripture are not merely to be read but also to be heard. They are meant for the heart. Psalm 40:8 reads, “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” While reading the Bible provides exposure to Scripture—and that’s essential —it remains to be the starting point. Meditation is how we absorb Scripture into our minds and hearts. It’s the absorption of Scripture that leads to transformation and a longing for more of God’s word. It is a responsibility and a privilege for us as Christians to hide God’s word in our hearts, and we can never doubt its value (Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:3, 2 Timothy 2:7). Here are some benefits of hiding God’s word in our hearts.
- Revival – “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul” (Psalm 19:7).
- Wisdom – “The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:8); “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me” (Psalm 119:97-98).
- Increased faith – “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
- Growth in your prayer life – When God’s word dwells in us in all its richness (Colossians 3:16), it fills and shapes our prayers. Dear brethren, pray with an open Bible, for this is our confidence that when we pray the word of God, we pray his will. When we pray God’s will in faith, he hears us. If God hears us, we know we have the requests we have asked of him (1 John 5:14-15).
- A renewed mind (Romans 12:1) – A Christian mind is impossible without the discipline of renewing your mind, which can only happen if it is constantly hidden in God’s word.
Contentment: Submission’s Rest
In a world that promotes comparison and dissatisfaction, a godly woman cultivates contentment. She trusts in God’s provision and timing, knowing that he is sovereign over all circumstances. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Paul understood contentment. He writes to the Philippians that he had “learnt to be content whatever the circumstance” (Philippians 4:11). Contentment is learned, as Paul reminds us. It grows as we reflect on God’s faithfulness and choose gratitude over grumbling. If you have contentment, you have everything. According to 2 Peter 1:3, we have been given everything for life and godliness. Surely we have everything we need. Why then do we lack contentment? We may lack many things in this world, but as godly women, we must work to develop the discipline of contentment.
Propriety: Submission’s Behavior
Propriety is the quality or state of being proper or suitable. Good manners are one of the most encouraged behaviours in a child. Sometimes it’s a parent’s motivation to keep their family or themselves from shame. Other times, it’s so that parents have something to boast about. Rarely is good character encouraged and modeled for the Gospel’s sake; no wonder most of us, at our adult age, struggle to maintain good behavior. Paul, writing to the church in Philippi, encourages the believers to live in a manner worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). A godly woman behaves in a manner that is suitable for the gospel; one that matches their faith, their message. Godly character is essential in the life of a Christian woman. It is evident in the way she dresses (1 Peter 3:3-4), her thoughts, her speech, and attitude (Colossians 3:12-14); basically, in all aspects of her life.
A Life of Grace-Fueled Discipline
The disciplines of a godly woman are not burdensome; they are a response to God’s grace. As Christian ladies, we understand that discipline is not about earning God’s favor but living in light of it. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out these disciplines (the list above is not exhaustive), shaping us into the image of Christ for the glory of God. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:13, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Sisters in Christ, let us strive to be disciplined women, not by our strength but by God’s grace. Let us immerse ourselves in the Word, pursue holiness, serve others, and trust in God’s providence. As we continually grow in godliness, may we point others to the One who is the source of all grace, Jesus Christ.