Self Discipline and Dignity

by Elaine A. Kamper
and David G. Kamper, M.D.
(click to respond)

What produces a dignified honorable individual? What is missing in the upbringing of many young people, children and young adults, and in violators of the law? Mr. Eric Metaxas cites 3 men in the 7th biography of his book, 7 Men and the Secret of Their Greatness, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 2013. The three men cited ( Dr. Sax, J.Q. Wilson, and C. W. Colson ) arrived at the same conclusions but from markedly different perspectives.

These people lack respect for others, lack thorough honesty and trustworthiness, humility and humbleness, and absolute truthfulness. The training of these desirable traits starts early in life and are mainly dependent on attentive parents, mother and father. Additional influences are other family members, peers, communities, teachers and schooling, and especially Judeo-Christian teachings in and outside of churches and synagogues.

The decreased teachings of Judeo-Christian lessons have resulted in disrespect of others by children and young adults and felons, perpetual narcissism, violation of laws, drug usage, decreased church orientation, increased judicial proceedings and incarceration.

The negative character traits have resulted from absorption in playing electronic games by youngsters rather than self created play, cruising the internet, watching television, peer pressure, pursuing just wants,self interests and indulgences which lead to a rather hollow, limited existence.

Less family activities, fewer moral role models in their lives result in inequality of achievements, income,wealth with more depression and anxiety, dissatisfaction with life, divorce, homosexuality, and less restraint by the individual.

What has happened to the Judeo-Christian teachings that bring joy and peace, happiness and satisfaction, discipline and respect, and dignity with working and achieving an honorable life and family? To form a firm foundation of morals, values, and principles is again in dire need.

Fortunately all such teachings have not been extinguished. To counteract these negative influences read the Bible, attend church and Bible class to attain character infrastructure. Learn to be a server not just a taker. Learn to distinguish right and wrong.

These character traits have been missing in many children as noted by Dr. Sax M.D in his medical practice. When parenting is poor, disrespect to others including parents and authorities becomes obnoxiously apparent. (1) Ibid.

James Q. Wilson, a sociologist in criminology, believes crime begins when children did not receive adequate moral training as gleaned from his studies of crime.(2) Ibid.

Charles W. Colson, a born again Christian, while incarcerated in prison for a White House felony when a legal adviser, deduced the same conclusion as J.Q. Wilson from observing and talking with other prisoners. This prompted him to set up prison ministries during and after his imprisonment to expose the other prisoners throughout the nation's prisons to moral Christian living. (3) Ibid.

With moral character traits being blessings from God on whom one depends not on government or other sources of captive dependence but are achievable as self discipline, as self restraint and as self responsibility based in God's love,word, and blessings.

Dignity arises from confidence that stems from acceptance and living the teachings of Jesus Christ.