Discipline

Do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves…

Proverbs 3:9-10

Don’t you just hate correction, rebuke, discipline? Whether it’s from the mouth a loving accountability partner, the Bible or the Lord himself, it is a hard thing to be humble enough to accept reproof. I’ve learned so much about the Lord’s discipline as I’ve disciplined my own children. My love for them, my desire for them to know the benefits of obedience, my drive to protect them, my willingness to let them suffer for their unwise choices: these are all components to my own discipline decisions.

The book of Proverbs has much to say about how we respond to reproof, the benefits of discipline and the warnings against scoffing at correction. These speak to me in powerful ways:

• Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise (Proverbs 19:20).
• The corrections of discipline are the way to life (Proverbs 6:23).
• Rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge (Proverbs 19:25).
• If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you (Proverbs 1:23).
• Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die (Proverbs 15:10).
• He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored (Proverbs 13:18).
• Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid (Proverbs 12:1).

Ultimately, accepting reproof requires a humble heart to admit wrong. It demands repentance and change. Heeding correction brings life, honor, and wisdom. But spurning discipline leads to poverty, shame and death.

Lord, give me a heart that is tender enough to receive rebuke. Give me a love for your Word which is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16).

Jill Hardin