Be Wary of Spiritual Disciplines

Today Ken preached from the book of Matthew, focussing on spiritual disciplines of reading the Bible, fasting, and prayer, and the fact that we are promised rewards for doing this. He encouraged us to join the "Chapter a Day" club, because even reading one small chapter a day from the Bible will have huge payoffs in our lives.

One thing that caught my attention is how Ken focussed in on three main disciplines. As we walked in the park later today, he suggested that our temptation to add disciplines in our lives is similar to buying the latest gadgets and machines to exercise. Perhaps you've heard that Richard Foster's books on discipline have been surrounded by controversy?

My concern with Foster is that he promotes as disciplines, things which may or may not be good ideas, but are man's ideas, not God's. Take journalling, for instance. I personally have had a journal for years. However, it is a form of praying, and is not in and of itself one of the disciplines Jesus exhorted us to practise. Foster has some other good ideas, including simplicity and solitude. But, while these are examples Christ set for us, they are not commands Christ called us to.

Jesus said, "This is how you should pray." He said, "When you fast." He never once said, "Live in simplicity."

I know that Jesus wants us to read our Bible and pray every day, and to fast in order to loose the hold the flesh has upon us, and to give more power to our prayer life.

It is important to us at the Good News Chapel to maintain a purely Biblical perspective on our worship and fellowship. Man made ideas, while good and helpful, often lead to rifts and traditions which do not belong in His House.