What
is discipline?
Dictionary
- discipline
control
gained by enforcing obedience or order.
orderly
or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior.
training
that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental facilities or moral character.
The
scriptures tell us we are to accept discipline from the Lord, he disciplines us because he loves us just
as a parent disciplines a child which means love for the child.
It’s
good to ask for discipline in our prayers.
If
we don’t accept discipline from the Lord, we have hostility towards him.
Hebrews 12
The Lord’s Discipline
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed in your struggle against sin. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons?
“My
son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline
or
give up when he corrects you.
6
“For
the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.”
7 Endure
your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is
there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you do not experience
discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and
are not sons.
9 Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers
and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father
of spirits and receive life? 10 For they disciplined
us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit,
that we may share his holiness. 11 Now all discipline
seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace
and righteousness for those trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen
your listless hands and your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths
for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but
be healed.
Do
Not Reject God’s Warning
14 Pursue
peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it
that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter
root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled.
16 And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person
like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For
you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected,
for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing
with tears. 18 For you have not come to something that can be
touched, to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind 19 and
the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words such that those who heard
begged to hear no more. 20 For they could not bear what was
commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must
be stoned.” 21 In fact, the scene was so terrifying that
Moses said, “I shudder with fear.” 22 But you have
come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to
myriads of angels, to the assembly 23 and congregation of the
firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the
spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect, 24 and to
Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks
of something better than Abel’s does.
25 Take care not to refuse the
one who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the one who
warned them on earth, how much less shall we, if we reject the one who warns
from heaven? 26 Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has
promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too.”
27 Now this phrase “once more” indicates the removal
of what is shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken may
remain. 28 So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us
give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion
and awe. 29 For our God is indeed a devouring fire.
Hebrews
12;11
Now
all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later
it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.
Leviticus
26;18
“‘If,
in spite of all these things, you do not obey me, I will discipline
you seven times more on account of your sins.
Leviticus
26;23
“‘If
in spite of these things you do not allow yourselves to be disciplined
and you walk in hostility against me.
Deuteronomy
8;5
Be
keenly aware that just as a parent disciplines his child, the
Lord your God disciplines you.
Job
5;17
“Therefore,
blessed is the man whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline
of the Almighty.
Psalm
119;75
I
know, Lord, that your regulations are just. You disciplined me
because of your faithful devotion to me.
Proverbs
3;11
My
child, do not despise discipline from the Lord, and do not loathe
his rebuke.
Proverbs
3;12
For
the Lord disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines
the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs
12;1
The
one who loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates
reproof is stupid.
Proverbs
13;1
A
wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scoffer does not
listen to rebuke.
Proverbs
13;18
The
one who neglects discipline ends up in poverty and shame, but the
one who accepts reproof is honored.
Proverbs
16;42
Insight
is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to
the discipline of fools.
Proverbs
19;20
Listen
to advice and receive discipline, that you may become wise by the
end of your life.
Proverbs
23;23
Acquire
truth and do not sell it— wisdom, and discipline, and
understanding.
Proverbs
29;17
Discipline your child, and he will give
you rest; he will bring you happiness.
timothy skon, Chaplain and Prayer Minister
serving others, guided by Jesus
9/3/17