SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1347

“Discipline”

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. – Revelation 3:19

What comes to mind when you think of the word, ‘discipline’? Punishment? Pain? Restrictive, structured living?

Discipline is a multi-faceted word whose root meaning is instruction and learning. Our use of the word has meanings ranging from punishment & correction, rules & regulations, as well as teaching and learning. In the military we learn to be disciplined through training and we are disciplined through punishment and correction when we willfully resist conformity.

Discipline is Training – Discipline is not condemnation. It is for the training and growth of God’s children in righteousness.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons… For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son whom he receives. – Romans 8:1; Hebrews 12:7,6

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness; For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age – 2 Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:11-12

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it; Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law – Hebrews 12:11; Psalm 94:12

Self-Discipline – We have a responsibility and an obligation to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus as His disciples, disciplining our flesh to obedience to the Word of God.

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls; But I discipline my body and keep it under control…. – Proverbs 25:28; 1 Corinthians 9:27

God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control; Train yourself for godliness; – 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Timothy 4:7

Parental Discipline – This has been severely lacking in our society for decades. Parenting skills are almost a lost art. Many Mom’s and Dad’s, single and two-parent homes alike, too tired from work and life interests have abdicated their responsibility as parents to discipline their children leaving them to be taught and raised by a corrupt world system.

Fathers do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord; Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it. – Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6

God’s Discipline – God’s discipline is always based in His love for us and intended for the betterment of His children. He takes measures to correct our behavior and path to help us grow in holiness and develop a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Be subject to the Father… for…he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. – Hebrews 12:9-10

Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore, despise not the discipline of the Almighty…; But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. – Job 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 11:32

Consequence Discipline – The consequence discipline from the world system is objective punishment and lacking the love component. When we sow to the works of the flesh in an undisciplined lifestyle, we will reap the consequences of our own sin and disobedience. The ultimate consequence of this is eternal separation from God.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap; Behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. – Galatians 6:7; Numbers 32:23

Responsorial Prayer: Father, I repent of my undisciplined life choices – my choices to sin against you. I thank you, Lord for your grace and forgiveness. I thank you, and yes, I rejoice in the trials of your loving discipline to correct and guide me on your path of righteousness. I ask that you Keep steady my steps according to the promise of your Word and let no iniquity get dominion over me. – Psalm 119:133. In Jesus’ holy Name I pray, Amen.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ – Titus 2:11-13