I am aware of the fact that many Catholic monks in bygone ages would punish themselves with whips when they felt that they were being weak or sinful in their pursuit of Christ's ideals.
I am part of a generation of Americans that is notorious for being somewhat spoiled and poorly disciplined. While I am williing to work hard for my family, there are many things that I often should be doing either for Christ or just around the house and yard, that I don't do with any sense of discipline. I often just don't feel like doing these things. I am quite aware that I simply wasn't raised in a generation that was constantly pressed into action by the mere need to survive as those who grew up, say, in the Depression were.
My question is whether Christ, in his teaching where he tells us to pluck out our eye if it is causing us to sin, is actually supporting this type (hopefully we won't have to take it to that extreme) of violent self-discipline if it is necessary?
I wonder whether this was pushed out of early doctrines because it was part of a larger doctrine (I am trying to remember who they were) of believers who focused entirely on destroying the body in an effort to free the spirit.
I would really like to hear from some of have studied this or perhaps even know more about this from personal experience.
Basically, does it do more harm than good to your Christian walk and/or psyche to take a whip or belt to yourself when you see yourself floundering in an area of weakness?
There are many areas in my life that, through prayer and God's guidance, I have developed wisdom and discipline. Am I simply growing impatient with some of my lazy habits? I have been struggling with some of these for too long and I am tempted to think that, as long as we are not trying to put this punishment to someone else, or make it a qualification for holiness or salvation, that this may be a valid method for us to use in our quest to get serious about God's calling for us to be responsible stewards of our time and our gifts that he has given us.
I do realize that this sounds a little crazy and masochistic, but I don't feel like I am anywhere near ready to put my life on the line for Christ as many missionaries are willing to do. I want to be in that place.