Proverbs 13:1, 13, 18, 24 AMP
“A wise son heeds and accepts [and is the result of] his father’s discipline and instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to reprimand and does not learn from his errors. Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, But he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded. Poverty and shame will come to him who refuses instruction and discipline, But he who accepts and learns from reproof or censure is honoured. He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].”
Discipline is a mark of love. Many have gone astray in our contemporary culture and misunderstood that. Unfortunately, there has been a philosophy of bringing up children which omits discipline. If you are allowing a child to do whatever he wishes, to indulge himself in every way, but that does not show love, that creates endless potential problems for your child in the future.
Proverbs 22:6, 15 AMP
“Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents]; even when he is old, he will not depart from it. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him.”
True love in a parent expresses itself in discipline and in setting boundaries. There is security in setting boundaries.
And the love of God for His children expresses itself in the discipline. God’s discipline is not a mark of His disfavour; it’s a mark of His love. We need to be careful that we understand it that way.
Proverbs 3:11-12 AMP
“My son, do not reject or take lightly the discipline of the Lord [learn from your mistakes and the testing that comes from His correction through discipline]; Nor despise His rebuke, For those whom the Lord loves He corrects, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.”
The Scripture warns us against two wrong reactions to the discipline of God. The first is despising it. The second is resenting it.
Hebrews 12:7-11 AMP
“You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Now, if you are exempt from correction and without discipline, in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons [at all]. Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we submitted and respected them [for training us]; shall we not much more willingly submit to the Father of spirits, and live [by learning from His discipline]? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].”
When God disciplines you, pay attention, don’t despise it, don’t resent it, don’t get angry, don’t complain, but learn the lesson that has to be learned and then the result will be blessing. The result will be peace. The result will be spiritual progress and development because there’s no other way that God can teach us except by discipline. That’s true in the natural too. A teacher who doesn’t discipline really can’t teach.
Hebrews 12:5-7 AMP
“and you have forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not make light of the discipline of the Lord, And do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected by Him; For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves, And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].” You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?”
God is The-Great-Teacher and The-Great-Father. He disciplines us in His love.
The Message Bearer
Cornelius Bella
corneliusbella 