Desirable Disciples

If you would have known me as a child you might have thought that I loved discipline. It seemed as if spankings were part of the daily rituals for the Drew clan. This was largely due to my older brother who would first persuade me to break a rule and then tattle on me for doing it. Not all of my mischief was the result of my brother's influence, though. I managed to dig my own holes from time to time. Obviously, with the actions came the consequences. I couldn't begin to count the number of spankings and groundings I suffered through my early years. After a while my parents could just show me the paddle or give me a look and I would straighten up. I can now look fondly upon those horrifying experiences and see the blessing of discipline. Contrary to my belief as a youth, Solomon was correct in saying, ""Do not hold back discipline from the child. Although you strike him with the rod he will not die"" (Proverbs 23:13). The Bible views discipline as something desirable. Not in the sense that you enjoy it or look forward to it, but rather that you crave its ultimate reward. I am thankful for discipline in many areas of my life.

I now understand the importance of self-discipline. As I matured I took on more responsibility for my own actions. I realized I could no longer blame others for my mistakes. Gone are the days of pointing the finger at my brother. Instead of being grounded or spanked for ignoring my homework, I fail my class and lose out on a better job. If I refuse to keep up with my spiritual relationship, I lose my soul. If I do not discipline myself I deprive myself of all that is good. ""Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honored"" (Prov. 13:18). ""Whoever neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding"" (Prov. 15:32).

I am not a father yet, but I can appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into being one. I've heard horror stories about dirty diapers and the terrible twos, but nothing compares to the stories I've heard about raising teenagers. I suppose it's because when you hit that age you declare freedom. You feel like you have outgrown the need for discipline. The truth is you never outgrow it. ""A wise son accepts his father's discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke"" (Prov. 13:1; 15:5). A parent has a great responsibility, and must carry it out whether the child understands it or not. ""The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother"" (Prov. 29:15).

Discipline is one of the greatest actions of love a parent can offer. ""He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently"" (Prov. 13:24; Eph. 6:4). Children who do not receive discipline tend to feel unloved, and long to have their parents show concern. So remember, if your parents are disciplining you, they love you.

It is the discipline of the Lord that we should desire most. ""Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves. So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty"" (Job 5:17). Why should we long for God's discipline? That is how God shows His love for us. ""Those whom I love I reprove and discipline"" (Rev. 3:19). As neglected children feel unloved, so we would feel if it weren't for the Lord's reproof. How else could the Lord steer us out of harms way? God does not discipline us because he hates us. On the contrary, look at the harm that could befall us if we do not listen to him. Consider the ill effects of alcohol, drugs, gossip, fornication, envy, and so on. These activities may appeal to us in some ways, but trouble lies in store if we take part in them. God is not depriving us, he's saving us from our own naivete and ignorance. ""We had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness"" (Heb. 12:9-10).

The wise man said, ""He who hates reproof is stupid"" (Prov. 12:1). Yes, in that sense I was a stupid child. I hated to be punished. But I do recall clinging to my Mom after she would spank me. Somehow I still knew I was loved, and there was no greater comfort than in my parent's arms. Now I find myself praying for the discipline of the Lord. Without His rebukes I will not know how to please Him. ""All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness"" (Heb. 12:11).