When I was a child and I broke the rules, my parents disciplined me. When I went to school and my behavior was not in line with the school’s expectations, I was disciplined. When I got a job, my employer let me know that if I didn’t uphold their standards or do my job well, I would be disciplined. One HR manager told me that discipline isn’t to punish us, but to instruct and correct us. My whole life I had seen it as a punishment, but it’s actually a tool God created to help us. Over and over it tells us that God disciplines those He loves. He won’t just let us continue down the wrong path. He will correct us and instruct us so we make choices that bring blessings. As believers, discipline should be expected from God and received with joy because of His love for us. It may not feel good in the moment, but long term it’s the best thing for our lives.
Here are some Bible verses on God’s discipline.
1. Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will].
Revelation 3:19 AMP
2. Therefore, know in your heart (be fully cognizant) that the Lord your God disciplines and instructs you just as a man disciplines and instructs his son.
Deuteronomy 8:5 AMP
3. My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
Proverbs 3:11 NLT
4. For the Father’s discipline comes only from his passionate love and pleasure for you. Even when it seems like his correction is harsh, it’s still better than any father on earth gives to his child.
Proverbs 3:12 TPT
5. Now all discipline seems to be painful at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it.
Hebrews 12:11 TPT
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 