Discipline

August 6

Nehemiah 10-11

Psalm 89:8-18

Proverbs 19:26-27

I Corinthians 14:26-40

Discipline

“Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.”  Proverbs 19:27 LSB

None of us are beyond the need for discipline.  As children we can’t wait till we are adults so that we can do what we want and our parents can’t punish us.  But when we are adults we realize that isn’t really how it works.  The discipline we experienced as a child was nothing compared to the consequences we face as adults when we mess up.  There is always someone who is in a position of authority over us.  As children, usually those people love us and want what is best for us.  While not perfect, their intentions are usually for our good.  They want to train us and teach us to be productive, responsible adults who have healthy relationships and interactions with others.  As adults, that is not always the case.  Those in authority over us may be a boss who is looking out for the interests of the company or who is more interested in his own well-being than ours.  If we make poor choices we may find ourselves under the authority of police officers or judges.  If we make poor financial decisions we may be under the authority of a bank or a lender.  And ultimately, we are under the authority of God.  There will never be a time in our lives when we can do whatever we want and have no one we are accountable to for our actions.  The question is not whether we will continue to experience discipline throughout our lives, the question is how we will respond to the discipline we receive. 

Discipline can come in many forms from different sources.  If we listen to minor discipline we can avoid more serious forms of correction.  God is a loving Father and He will get our attention.  He will not let us get away with sin because He knows it is not in our best interest.  He may use human authorities or He may discipline us directly.  Thankfully, in His omniscience, He knows what will work most effectively for each of us.  As human parents, one of the most difficult jobs we face is determining how to discipline our children.  Some methods work on one child but can have absolutely no effect on another one.  Managing different methods of discipline for each child is challenging and can cause conflict but is necessary.  It is often trial and error.  Thankfully, God doesn’t have to experiment because He knows our hearts and He knows what is best.  Our response to discipline determines the kind of life we will have.  If we continually rebel and refuse to listen to correction and reproof, our lives will be characterized by strife and difficulty.  If, however, we have tender hearts that seek to follow God and His will, we will experience more peace and have less difficulty.  I’m not suggesting we will not experience any difficulties in life, but that we won’t have to deal with many of the problems that result from the consequences of our poor choices.  May we humbly accept the discipline of our loving Father.