Godly discipline

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2v11-12 (NIV)

Beloved, what is your attitude towards correction and discipline? Do you become sulky, sullen, slam doors and refuse to speak to the person who has corrected you. On the other hand are you in a position of authority, yet fail to correct, caution, encourage and discipline those in your care? Sometimes we give the excuse that it is because we love others that we do not want to point out their wrong doings, but do you know it could be much worse for a person if you fail to correct those who have been put in your care? Proverbs 29v15&17 (AMP) say “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left undisciplined brings his mother to shame … Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your heart.” As children, even for spiritual children, there is a necessary molding and nurturing that needs to take place. Proverbs 22v15 (KJV) says “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” I remember while in elementary school, I stole some of my parents’ money from the car. Maybe it was because my best friend then used to bring money to school. Anyway, my mother got the truth out of me, and beat me so severely that I never stole again after that. If I wasn’t properly corrected then, I wonder if I would have continued stealing even as I grew older. Perhaps you have examples of your own. Proverbs 19v18 (TLB) tells us “Discipline your son in his early years while there is hope. If you don’t, you will ruin his life.” While Proverbs 22v6 (TLB) says “Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older, he will remain upon it.” Indeed as parents we do have a responsibility to train up our children in the way of the Lord. Eli the priest got into trouble with the Lord because he failed to carry out appropriate disciplinary measures when his children were not acting well (1 Samuel 2v22-36; 3v11-14).

Supplementary Text

“Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6v4 (AMP)

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your word. We pray for wisdom and grace to raise up our children in the way of the Lord, so that they may become godly men and women of integrity, diligence, kindness, wisdom and grace in Jesus name, amen.