Discipline: Why is it so important? What is the key?

In ministering to men I am coming to the realization that the single most important topic in todays world with men is the subject of DISCIPLINE. I know; this is not a very popular subject. I would like to point out why I believe it is so very important. You see, the unbelieving world is watching us closer than ever before. They are just waiting for a stumble so they can say "See, look at the Christian! They are no different from the rest of us." 

We are called to be different. 2 Cor. 6:17 says, "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord." The Lord here is talking to His children. He expects us to live differently from the world.  

Think about it another way; we all have people in our lives that we greatly respect. When someone that we respect does something way out of character; we are disappointed, as we should be. We do tremendous damage to our witness for Christ when we lack discipline in our lives.

The Bible tells us "not to cause another  brother to stumble." Sometimes,  if someone sees us do something, they may actually think that because we do it then it is probably ok to do it as well.

Almost without fail; when I talk with a man who has taken a fall, I ask him this,  "Are you spending time in the Word of God?" And the answer is always the same; "NO". 

The key in leading a disciplined life is spending time in God's Word!