Discipline Is Not a Punishment!

“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” Hebrews 12:11 (ESV).

Growing up in West Africa, modelling discipline was a common practice in everyday activities. Although I do not recall verbally hearing the word itself enunciated to impose discipline on anyone, I most certainly felt and saw its mark in the mannerism of people, whether in attitude or posture. A disciplined life was a non-verbal expectation which went beyond one’s consistent appearance to be disciplined. It was a way of life. It was who you are, in school, at church, on the playground, at the dinner table and in the presence of others. There was also the feeling of joy and pride in knowing others knew you as a disciplined member of society!

In our world today, a disciplined life has become something we associate with being negative. We refrain from taking a disciplinary position for ourselves, our children and the systems that govern our world, fearing more significant consequences. Not dismissing the misuse of discipline in the hands of folly; we have arrived at a place of desiring a life without discipline. We live in a culture where convenience to the issues of life has become our comfort. Any extra effort into things almost reveals the lack of significance of that particular thing! Whether it is an amazing new 3-step process to lose weight, a proven theory to quickly climb the corporate ladder or a search engine to find expert advice, we seek effortless and quick maneuvering to life’s most challenging processes. Thus, are we missing out on giving ourselves up for God to cultivate the right Spirit in us so we can experience the joy, peace, and fulfillment He deeply longs for us to enjoy?

Scriptures reveal the necessity for a disciplined life. Without discipline, our spiritual life will become meaningless. Without discipline, our righteousness is in vain. It was fascinating to find that the word discipline also means control, development, regulations, restraint, self-control, and education. It’s a method -way of practice – consistently doing, cultivation and domestication (in Christ).

 In the above scripture reference, the writer of Hebrews alludes to the painful and rather unpleasant feelings we get when discipline is at work. It further states that this painful toil is but for a ‘moment’ and, when we endure, will yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness because discipline has trained us. Hebrews 12:11 (ESV). The writer says that God lovingly disciplines his children to train them to be in alignment (righteousness). Discipline is “training”! The apostle Paul understood the importance of discipline. He emphasizes that, as followers of Christ, we are to aim purposefully with the intent to attain the imperishable rewards.1 Corinthians 9:24 -27 (ESV). This means our spiritual lives form the core of our character.

Discipline is not a punishment. As believers, when God disciplines us, he is not getting back at us for something we have done; instead, He is drawing us back to His will; from things that can destroy us, and towards His likeness.

How should we respond to discipline as believers?

WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE GOD WE SERVE. 

God is a disciplinarian. He will instruct, correct, and prune us to his likeness (Psalm 32:8; 71:17; Deuteronomy 4:5, Isaiah 28:26). God’s disciplinary action in our lives is a sign of His love for us. He desires a close relationship with us.

His disciplinary action is compared to the intimate concern and understanding a parent has for their child (Hebrews 12: 6-7). As a result, a loving parent administers the discipline with an eye on helping the child become all they can. In like manner, God’s discipline of us flows out of his everlasting love for us.

WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND GOD’S DISCIPLINE IS OFTEN PAINFUL BUT WILL NOT KILL US.

No action against the will of the flesh is enjoyable. Discipline is not fun! Discipline moves beyond our comfort. It requires training and control that cancels out our physical needs. It hurts! If your spouse decides to sit and watch TV after the honeymoon phase because they are married and cannot be bothered to attend to house chores or family matters. An intentional period of instruction, coaching, correcting, and denial of selfish needs will occur to yield a more desired behaviour. Discipline is painful because it yields.

Just as a seed must die to yield its fruit, we must die to the flesh to yield the likeness of our Lord (Romans 8:29). Discipline hurts both God and us. Nevertheless, He does it for our benefit (Hebrews 12:10).

WE CAN EMBRACE GOD’S DISCIPLINE WILLINGLY.

Proverbs 3:11 instructs us to not despise the Lord’s instruction. Discipline that is not rightly received sours rather than sweetens our character. To be the salt and light of this world, we must have a testimony attesting to others who have yet to encounter Christ and the faithfulness and greatness of our God during hardship. When God disciplines us, it is always a preparation for the blessing He longs to give us. We will not embrace it well without the proper positioning for this blessing. God must prepare us for the blessings He wants to provide us with. Paul and James embraced God’s discipline willfully and taught us to:

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials . . . so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing” James 1:2,4 (HCSB). Paul stated, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” 2 Cor. 12:10 (NIV).

Discipline builds the right attitude that God can use to change us to be more like His son Jesus Christ.

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