Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Proverbs 29:15 (NIV)
A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.
Proverbs 29:15 (MSG)
Wise discipline imparts wisdom; spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.
**********************************************************************
“The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.” -AMPLIFIED
“Discipline is not only good for children, but it is also necessary for their happiness and well-being. Discipline is as vital for healthy child development as nutritious food, physical and cognitive exercises, love, and other basic needs. Without discipline, children lack the tools necessary to navigate relationships and challenges in life such as self-discipline, respect for others, and the ability to cooperate with peers.” ~Katherine Lee
Discipline tends to be one of those words that we do not like to discuss. In fact, discipline should spark positive results, not negative. Let us look at the definition of the word:
“Discipline: Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement; Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control; A state of order based on submission to rules and authority.” ~The Free Dictionary
Throughout the Bible we will find much about the need for discipline; not only for our children’s sake, but for our own. We are reminded to discipline our children and to discipline ourselves, or God will do it for us. Hence, why it is important to learn HOW to discipline ourselves as a child. It was Solomon who told us this:
“Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost.” -Proverbs 22:6 (MSG)
“Let no Christian parents fall into the delusion that Sunday School is intended to ease them of their personal duties. The first and most natural condition of things is for Christian parents to train up their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” ~Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“Corporal punishment and correction produce wisdom, but a child left to follow his own willful way shames his mother.” -(VOICE)
We find Solomon turning his attention to discipline and correction. It is inferred that he is pointing out to us the need for disciplining our children. He reasons that if a child is left undisciplined, to follow his or her own ways, eventually it will lead to disgrace and shame for the parent. It is the parent’s responsibility to teach and discipline a child. Children need to learn discipline; for without it they do not learn appropriate behavior, or wisdom.
“Scolding and spanking a child helps him to learn. Left to himself, he brings shame to his mother.” -(TLB)
Further along in Proverbs 29 we will find Solomon telling us:
“Discipline your children; you’ll be glad you did—they’ll turn out delightful to live with.” -Proverbs 29:17 (MSG)
“Love precedes discipline.”
~John Owen
We need to remember that discipline happens because we love our child. It was Solomon who taught us this:
“A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them.” -Proverbs 13:24 (MSG)
“God strikes not as an enemy, to destroy; but as a father, to correct.”
~John H Aughey
Discipline is not just regulated to children, though. It is an activity or training that we need to exercise throughout our whole lives. For if we do not discipline ourselves to do things correctly, God’s way, He will need to discipline us. Why? Because He loves us and wants the best for us.
“My son, do not ignore the Eternal’s instruction or lose heart when He steps in to correct you; because the Eternal proves His love by caring enough to discipline you, just as a father does his child, his pride and joy.” -Proverbs 3:11-12 (VOICE)
“God is interested in developing your character. At times He lets you proceed, but He will never let you go too far without discipline to bring you back. In your relationship with God, He may let you make a wrong decision. Then the Spirit of God causes you to recognize that it is not God’s will. He guides you back to the right path.” ~Henry Blackaby
The writer of Hebrews explains to us that God disciplines us because we are His children and He desires for us to share in His holiness. Take note:
“Endure hardship as God’s discipline and rejoice that He is treating you as His children, for what child doesn’t experience discipline from a parent? But if you are not experiencing the correction that all true children receive, then it may be that you are not His children after all. Remember, when our human parents disciplined us, we respected them. If that was true, shouldn’t we respect and live under the correction of the Father of all spirits even more? Our parents corrected us for a time as seemed good to them, but God only corrects us to our good so that we may share in His holiness. When punishment is happening, it never seems pleasant, only painful. Later, though, it yields the peaceful fruit called righteousness to everyone who has been trained by it.” -Hebrews 12:7-11 (VOICE)
“God does not discipline us to subdue us, but to condition us for a life of usefulness and blessedness.” ~Billy Graham
My friend, remember that discipline is not a bad thing. In fact, it is a sign of love. When you discipline your child be sure that they understand why they are being disciplined. And when God is disciplining you, be sure to ask Him what you should be learning in that difficult time. God does not discipline us because He is angry at us or because He wants to make our life difficult. He disciplines us because He loves us. He is our Heavenly Father, and His desire is to form us and make us into His likeness.
“I want you to know in your hearts that the Eternal your God has been training you just as a parent trains a child. So obey His commands! Live as He has instructed, and fear Him.” ~Moses (Deuteronomy 8:5-6 VOICE)
My Prayer:
Heavenly Father, discipline can hurt. Remind me when I am on the receiving end of it that you discipline me because you love me. I know that discipline is a positive thing and it is your responsibility to teach me and train me in the way that I should go. Likewise, it is my responsibility to teach and train my children; so that when they are old they will continue in the ways that they were taught and trained in as a child. Help me to take that responsibility seriously, Lord; just as you do. Please, give me wisdom in this commitment.
Growing with God 