Feb 18, 2026
The martial arts have a long tradition of being associated with spiritual endeavors. This is often because practitioners have not only realized their mortality and the need to address spiritual matters, but elements like discipline amplify spiritual pursuits. Whether it be the monks of Shaolin or the Knights Hospitallers, the crossover of martial characteristics to faith, including the Christian faith, have happened for some time.
Let’s take a look at some of the principles you can use from the martial arts to improve your walk of faith.
Discipline and Tenacity
Through the physical and mental challenges of martial arts, practitioners must tap into their discipline and strengthen it via dedicated effort. By consistently putting forth exceptional effort to master the movements of their bodies, refine techniques, and meet exacting requirements, an extremely strong work ethic is created. This strong work ethic causes a martial artist to return time and time again to the same tasks. This creates tenacity—a spirit for striving.
For me, trying every day to walk like Christ requires tapping into this martial discipline. Jesus sets a high standard for this life that requires a consistent approach to fight everything life sends my way. While my actions are not meant to work my way into heaven, they are a necessary expression of how my faith has changed me. Discipline helps me dedicate myself to this effort.
Because I am human, I fall short frequently. I make mistakes. I sin. This is where the tenacity I have developed truly serves me. I pick myself up as many times as needed and present myself before God in all humbleness. There is a saying in jiu-jitsu: ‘seven times down and eight times up.’ Tenacity helps me reapproach my relationship with God through the salvation of Jesus as many times as needed. It takes perseverance to fight against sin, repent, find my salvation again, and use this process to better serve God on earth.
Humility
The hard-won skills of those senior in knowledge and ability help to foster a deep respect in the martial arts. Yes, there is a hierarchy in the martial arts, but it’s built on the back of hard work and tenacity. The respect is not misplaced. Respect comes when we compare ourselves to others. We see what makes an individual unique in the arts and life. This plants the seed of humility.
Being humble in the martial arts is helpful in a couple of ways. It keeps us from overestimating our abilities and opens the door for learning. Humility gives us the ability to recognize a higher source and submit to training. Are these not important when seeking spiritual growth?
Humility is when we have plowed the field to be ready for planting. It is an essential part of preparing ourselves to be open to God’s word and hearing what he speaks to our heart. We must be ready to accept God on his terms, not ours.
How many times have I tried to bend God to my agenda? I find that I can become so focused on my pursuits that I forget my place. I begin to overestimate myself. When I realize this, I flash back to when I underestimated the abilities of my senior in the martial arts. I must step back and get in touch with my place and return to the situation humbled. It is only then that I make real progress. Real strength in relationships and ability come from humility. Leverage it into your spiritual path.
Mindfulness
In the martial arts, it is imperative to stay in the moment. Many things will tear at your thoughts to distract you in a fight. For example, lingering on a mistake. If your mind stops moving and locks into something that has passed, you will not perceive what is currently happening. This is dangerous in something that is dynamic like a fight. Mindfulness is about staying in the flow of the moment.
There are many practices in martial arts to develop the ability to be centered in the present. Focusing on the movement in a technique, turning kata (forms) into moving meditation, and practicing against resisting opponents that want to win too, are a few examples. These endeavors sharpen a martial artist’s ability to choose mindfulness at will.
This mindfulness can serve a person on the path of faith as well. How many times in your prayer life do you find your thoughts have wandered off course, and you are no longer mentally in the presence of God? This happens to me, but my mindfulness catches it and allows me to recenter in the moment. When I am in this flow, it often feels like I am relaxing into God’s arms.
Mindfulness also helps me see behaviors as they are developing. This lets me intercept thoughts and actions that are not aligned with my Christian faith. However, I am far from perfect in my mindfulness. I continue to develop it.
When I find myself headed the wrong way, I can usually trace it back to when I stopped being mindful of the way I am living in the light of Christ. This is when I am especially thankful for the mercy God has offered me through the salvation of Jesus. I have a way to restore myself and pick myself up to reapply my discipline, tenacity, humbleness, and mindfulness.
I hope these thoughts have stirred something in you. The principles are interconnected and essential.