Key Takeaways
1. Godliness Demands Intentional Discipline and Effort.
No discipline no discipleship! No sweat no sainthood!
Discipline is everything. Accomplishing anything significant in life requires discipline, whether in athletics, arts, business, or academics. This is doubly true in spiritual matters, where none of us has an innate advantage; we are all equally disadvantaged by our fallen nature. Therefore, spiritual discipline is paramount for children of grace.
Train yourself. The biblical call to "train yourself to be godly" (1 Timothy 4:7) uses a word related to "gymnasium," implying strenuous exercise and sweat. Just as athletes strip away hindrances, we must shed anything impeding godliness – habits, associations, tendencies. This requires intense, focused energy, not aimless effort.
Value in all things. Godliness holds value for both the present life and the life to come. Discipline frees us from worldly gravity, allowing us to soar spiritually. It builds an enduring soul that withstands judgment. While legalism is self-centered, discipline is God-centered, motivated by love and a desire to please Him.
2. Guard Your Purity: Sensuality is Godliness's Greatest Foe.
Godliness and sensuality are mutually exclusive, and those in the grasp of sensuality can never rise to godliness while in its sweaty grip.
Pervasive sensuality. Our culture sweats sensuality, from crude media to artful advertising, making purity a significant challenge. Statistics show alarming rates of sexual sin even among professing Christians, highlighting sensuality as a major obstacle to godliness. This "Corinthian" state weakens the Church's holiness, discipline, relevance, and power.
Pathology of a fall. King David's fall (2 Samuel 11) illustrates the descent:
- Desensitization: Accepting "legal" sensualities (like excessive TV, coarse humor).
- Relaxation: Letting down moral guard when feeling safe or successful.
- Fixation: Allowing a sinful look to become a burning, lustful leer, causing God to fade from reality.
- Rationalization: The mind controlled by lust finds infinite excuses.
- Degeneration: Leading to adultery, lying, murder, and devastating consequences.
Discipline for purity. Purity is God's will (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). Cultivate disciplines like:
- Accountability: With a spouse or same-sex friend.
- Prayer: Daily, specifically for purity.
- Memorization: Filling the mind with God's Word (Psalm 119:9, 11).
- Mind/Eyes: Guarding what you see and think (Job 31:1, Mark 9:47).
- Tongue: Avoiding obscenity, foolish talk, coarse joking (Ephesians 5:3, 4).
- Hedges: Setting boundaries in relationships, especially with the opposite sex.
- Divine Awareness: Remembering you sin against God (Genesis 39:9).
3. Discipline of Marriage: Love Your Wife Like Christ.
Marriage is a call to die, and a man who does not die for his wife does not come close to the love to which he is called.
One flesh mystery. Marriage is a profound mystery, making two people "one flesh," reflecting the union of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32). This deep psycho-spiritual bond involves an exchange of soul and requires specific disciplines of love from the husband.
Sacrificial love. Husbands are called to love their wives "just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25). This is a call to radical, sacrificial love, a willingness to die to self, rights, time, and perceived pleasures. It involves suffering with her, sharing her injustices and despairs, and making intercession for her through passionate prayer.
Sanctifying and self-love. A husband's love should elevate his wife toward Christlikeness, being a man of the Word who prays and sacrifices for her spiritual growth. He is responsible for seeking her sanctification. Furthermore, he is to love her "as his own body" (Ephesians 5:28), granting her the same importance and care he gives himself. This involves physical, emotional, and social incarnation, cherishing her as his constant soul.
4. Discipline of Fatherhood: Nurture and Instruct Your Children.
Men, the mere fact of fatherhood has endowed you with terrifying power in the lives of your sons and daughters, because they have an innate, God-given passion for you.
Terrifying power. Fathers possess immense power in their children's
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FAQ
What is Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes about?
- Comprehensive guide to godliness: The book explores seventeen key spiritual disciplines essential for men seeking to grow in godliness, including purity, marriage, fatherhood, devotion, prayer, worship, integrity, work, perseverance, church, leadership, giving, witness, and ministry.
- Biblical foundation: Hughes grounds his teaching in Scripture, especially 1 Timothy 4:7, urging men to “train yourself to be godly.”
- Holistic approach: The disciplines cover relationships, character, soul, ministry, and personal habits, aiming for transformation in every area of a man’s life.
- Man-to-man challenge: Hughes writes directly to men, encouraging them to embrace spiritual discipline as the path to effective Christian living and leadership.
Why should I read Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes?
- Addresses modern male challenges: The book tackles contemporary issues such as work ethic, leadership decline, and lack of church commitment, offering biblical solutions.
- Practical and actionable: Hughes provides clear, practical steps for developing spiritual disciplines, making it accessible for men at any stage of their faith journey.
- Balanced with grace: While emphasizing discipline, the book reassures readers of God’s abundant grace, reminding them that spiritual growth is empowered by God, not just personal effort.
- Encourages honest self-assessment: Readers are challenged to evaluate their spiritual lives and commit to real, lasting change.
What are the key takeaways from Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes?
- Discipline is essential: Spiritual growth and godliness require intentional, ongoing discipline, not just good intentions or natural talent.
- Seventeen core disciplines: The book identifies and explores disciplines such as purity, marriage, fatherhood, devotion, prayer, worship, integrity, work, perseverance, church involvement, leadership, giving, witness, and ministry.
- Godliness is the goal: All disciplines are aimed at helping men become more like Christ in every aspect of life.
- Effort and grace work together: Hughes emphasizes that while discipline is necessary, it is always fueled and sustained by God’s grace.
How does R. Kent Hughes define spiritual discipline in Disciplines of a Godly Man?
- Intentional training: Spiritual discipline is likened to athletic training—requiring effort, perseverance, and “spiritual sweat.”
- Not legalism: Discipline is motivated by love for God and a desire to please Him, not by trying to earn His favor or merit.
- Universal need: No one is born with a spiritual advantage; all believers must cultivate discipline to grow in godliness.
- Scriptural command: Hughes highlights Paul’s exhortation in 1 Timothy 4:7 as the biblical basis for pursuing discipline.
What is the difference between legalism and discipline according to Disciplines of a Godly Man?
- Motivation matters: Legalism is self-centered, seeking to earn God’s approval, while discipline is God-centered, flowing from love and a desire to honor Him.
- Outcomes differ: Legalism leads to frustration and spiritual death, but discipline leads to growth, freedom, and godliness.
- Paul’s example: Hughes notes that Paul fiercely opposed legalism but still commanded believers to pursue discipline for godliness.
- Discipline is life-giving: True discipline is a means of grace, not a burden of rules.
What practical advice does R. Kent Hughes give for developing a disciplined mind in Disciplines of a Godly Man?
- Guard your heart and mind: Proverbs 4:23 is cited to stress the importance of protecting what you allow into your mind, as it shapes your life.
- Reject harmful influences: Hughes advises avoiding secular TV and media that undermine a Christian worldview and corrupt the mind.
- Immerse in Scripture: Regular Bible reading, ideally reading through the Bible annually, is essential for renewing the mind.
- Read Christian literature: Engaging with classic Christian books helps develop a robust, Christ-centered way of thinking.
How does Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes address the discipline of purity?
- Cultural challenge: Hughes warns against the pervasive sensuality in both society and the church, calling men to live pure lives.
- Practical strategies: He recommends accountability, prayer, Scripture memorization, and guarding the mind and eyes as key tools for maintaining purity.
- Biblical foundation: The call to purity is rooted in Scripture, emphasizing the need for vigilance and intentionality.
- Community support: Hughes encourages men to seek support from other believers to resist temptation and pursue holiness.
What does R. Kent Hughes teach about the discipline of marriage and fatherhood in Disciplines of a Godly Man?
- Marriage as sacrificial love: Men are called to love their wives as Christ loved the Church—sacrificially, sanctifying, and selflessly (Ephesians 5).
- Fatherhood with tenderness: Fathers should nurture their children with tenderness, discipline, and instruction, avoiding exasperation and recognizing their influence.
- Spiritual leadership at home: Both roles require men to lead spiritually, modeling Christlike character and commitment.
- Accountability and growth: Hughes stresses the importance of ongoing growth and accountability in these vital relationships.
How does Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes describe the discipline of devotion and prayer?
- Devotion as soul exposure: Devotion involves meditation, confession, adoration, and submission, allowing God’s light to shape character and align the will.
- Prayer as work and warfare: Prayer requires discipline, persistence, and Spirit-led intercession, described as “All-Prayer” in Ephesians 6:18.
- Practical steps: Hughes suggests using a prayer list, finding a quiet time and place, and committing to regular, focused prayer—even if brief.
- Transformative power: Consistent devotion and prayer are foundational for spiritual growth and intimacy with God.
What is the biblical view of work in Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes?
- Work is sacred: All honest work, regardless of the job, is a sacred matter when done for the Lord, reflecting God’s creative nature.
- Work ethic essentials: Hughes emphasizes energy (opposing laziness), enthusiasm, wholeheartedness, and excellence as marks of a godly work ethic.
- Work and godliness linked: Godliness is associated with hard work, and men are called to work “for the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
- Balance and integrity: The book warns against both sloth and overwork, calling for integrity and faithfulness in all tasks.
How does R. Kent Hughes explain the discipline of perseverance in Disciplines of a Godly Man?
- Fourfold command: Perseverance involves casting off hindrances, running with endurance, focusing on Jesus, and considering His endurance (Hebrews 12:1-3).
- Dealing with besetting sins: Hughes urges men to identify and cast off personal sins that entangle and hinder spiritual progress.
- Unique race: Each believer’s journey is unique, and perseverance means faithfully continuing despite obstacles.
- Patient fortitude: Perseverance is described as “putting one heavy foot in front of the other” until reaching the goal.
What does Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes teach about church involvement and leadership?
- Church is essential: Hughes warns against passive attendance, emphasizing that active participation in a local church is biblically mandated.
- Seven spiritual realities: The church is described as a gathering of God’s people, angels, and the redeemed, centered on Christ and His forgiveness.
- Leadership as service: Drawing from Joshua’s example, Hughes highlights prayer, vision, devotion, magnanimity, faith, and the Holy Spirit’s presence as key leadership qualities.
- Practical commitment: Men are called to regular attendance, membership, giving, participation, and loving prayer for their church community.
How does R. Kent Hughes connect grace and discipline in Disciplines of a Godly Man?
- Grace empowers discipline: Salvation and godly living are by grace alone, but grace also energizes and sustains spiritual discipline.
- More grace always available: Hughes emphasizes that God continually supplies “more grace” (James 4:6) for every step of the journey.
- Effort and grace together: Paul’s example shows that hard work is not opposed to grace; rather, grace enables and motivates disciplined living.
- Hope for the journey: Even when men fail, God’s grace is sufficient to restore, empower, and help them persevere in godliness.
Review Summary
Disciplines of a Godly Man receives mostly positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.18/5. Readers appreciate its practical advice, biblical foundations, and comprehensive coverage of spiritual disciplines for Christian men. Some find it challenging and convicting, while others view it as a valuable resource for personal growth. However, a few reviewers critique its potentially legalistic tone and wish for more emphasis on grace. Many recommend it as a must-read for Christian men, suggesting regular revisits for continued guidance and reflection.
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