The Christian Arsenal 1 & 2

When a soldier enlists in the military, the first eight weeks are spent in boot camp, training the body for combat. The physical body then becomes an extension of the soldier's arsenal. In much the same way, when Christians discipline themselves through prayer and fasting and reading the Word, their lives become part of God's spiritual armory on earth in which His body can be used to demolish spiritual barriers and set the captives free.  

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.    ( Hebres 12:11)