The Word of God places great importance on discipline. 2 Timothy 3:16 says that ‘all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.’ Discipline is necessary for training toward righteousness.  Godly discipline would help us keep ourselves away from temptations and sin and it is necessary at every phase of life.

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As Parents: Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up the child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Discipline must start early in life. Parents who truly love their children will discipline them, but never in anger.  There are different techniques that the world teaches us on how we need to raise our children. Those are worldly techniques. As godly parents, we must seek His divine wisdom to bring up our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol” (Proverbs 23:13-15). The Word of God reminds us that we are to discipline our children just as God disciplines His children, firm yet loving.  Proverbs 19:18 instructs parents to discipline children while there is hope.  Not doing so means parents are accountable for ruining the lives of their children. In other words, we as parents should discipline our children if we do not want to cause their death, both physical and spiritual. If we are careful in following the instructions of the Lord and make every effort to bring up children in godly discipline,  restraining and correcting them with godly love, the Word of God promises us that they will grow up to bring us rest and delight to our hearts.

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As Children:  Children are to obey their parents in the Lord. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” "(Ephesians 6:1-2) The Word of God teaches us that while we are children, we tend to be foolish. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline (from godly parents, elders and teachers) drives it far from them.  “My child, listen when your father corrects you. Do not neglect your mother’s instruction.” (Proverbs 1:8)

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In Our Personal Lives:  “Apply your heart to discipline. And your ears to words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 23: 12) We live in a fallen world and the pressures of this world tend to have a huge impact on each of our lives. However, if we choose to meditate on the law of the Lord, day and night and obey the Word, He will rule our lives and we can enjoy an abundant life in Christ.  We must be disciplined in every area of our life.  We must be disciplined in what our ears are hearing. We cannot be spending time listening to gossip and slander and then expect to be tuned to hear God’s voice.  Our eyes need to be disciplined in what we see and read. Our tongues should be disciplined too; for if we have control over it, we have control over our whole being. 

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Thought: “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12: 7, 11)