Nobody enjoys seeing a child out of control, screaming "I hate you!", and throwing a fit until he gets his own way.
Proverbs 30 talks about a generation "that curses its father, and does not bless its mother, that is pure in its own eyes...whose teeth are like swords, and whose fangs are like knives." Likewise, 2 Timothy 3 describes a time coming when men will be "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good...." There is a reason Revelation states that the wicked will get worse. Sin and rebellion never stand still but continue to increase unless dealt with and corrected. Lack of discipline allows our fallen nature to manifest.
Proverbs states that discipline or correction is a way of life. It is necessary. Hebrews 12 even suggests an attitude shift toward discipline, "My son, do not despise the discipline of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." Discipline is revealed as an act of love in order to change behavior and produce desirable character.
Often, we associate discipline with children. Since God instructs us to raise up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, discipline is a natural part of parenting. Proverbs 13:24 further declares that "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly." Perhaps the explanation in Hebrews 12:11 summarizes this procedure and goal best, "Now no discipline seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. Something happens inside when a child is spanked because "blows that sting cleanse the soul." Discipline sets the child free in their mind and heart so they can receive the love and acceptance to start new.
Just as we respected our human fathers who disciplined and corrected us, "Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they (our fathers) indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He (God) for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness." God has an effective way of discipline for His children in order to produces holiness and life.
Obviously, just as the external actions of the Old Testament may parallel the internal changes of the New Testament, the physical discipline of a child is replaced by an interior pressure that produces change as we mature. God disciplines through His Word. As 2 Timothy 3:16 states, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." The Word can penetrate our hearts to reprove our wrong thoughts, to correct our negative emotions, and to instruct us to make righteous choices.
One excellent example is found in 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 where Paul writes a word to the Corinthians. "For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice...that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted." Then notice the fruit this produced, "What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication!" When received in a humble attitude, correction produces wonderful life.
God does not discipline with sickness, poverty, or torment. It states in James, God cannot tempt with evil. We should never fight a battle that Jesus has already won for us. These attacks of the devil were completely eradicated when Jesus declared from the cross, "It is finished." Nevertheless, He does discipline and correct with internal conviction so we can repent and be right with Him and align with His ways.
Being corrected removes anxiety and allows peace to be restored. Scripture instructs us to "strive to enter His rest." Furthermore, in Psalm 23, there is an amazing promise, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your staff and rod they comfort me." There is comfort in His rod and staff. We can have peace and assurance that if we get off the beaten path, He will correct us.
God works all things for good, even when His Word reproves or corrects us. Therefore, we encourage you to receive His correction in a right attitude, let the godly sorrow produce repentance. As our thoughts and ways are corrected to His thoughts and ways, we will delight to do His will. His discipline trains us for life, even the desired peaceful abundant life.
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