Godly Chastisement

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives”” (Hebrews 12:6).

Paul spoke in Hebrews 12 about the perfecting of our faith. He warned us to lay aside the weights of sin, so that we can run the Christian race. We run with our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is seated at the right hand of God. Paul’s encouragement is to endure, so that we don’t become weary. He stated that our endurance against sin, was not up to the point of shedding our blood. We are sons and daughters of the most high God. Paul’s exhortation is this; “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him” (Hebrews 12:5).

Parental discipline is to help children grow, to become valuable members of society. God disciplines us because he loves us as his dear children. Children feel safe from having discipline and clearly defined boundaries. A parent who fails to discipline their children, is setting them up for failure. “If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons” (Hebrews 12:8). God disciplines us because of his desire to keep us from perishing. Paul said that all discipline seemed painful at the time, however it later produces a fruit of righteousness.

Paul’s encouragement is to take heart and to lift our heads. We are told to strive for peace and holiness, which is a requirement to see God. “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15). Paul also warned against sexual immorality and unholiness. He compared such behaviour to when Esau sold his birthright for a meal. In other words, we cannot trade long term gain for short term pleasure. Esau later sought after the blessing of his father, but lost his opportunity due to shortsightedness.

Don’t become offended when you are corrected. You have to examine where and who the correction is coming from. God will use family, friends and other people around you to point out weaknesses. Ministers and leaders will point out times when we may stray away from the truth. Pride and arrogance can stop us from heeding correction. Stubbornness and hard heartedness can lead to destruction. When someone offers correction, you have to examine whether they mean to harm you, or they wish to see you grow in Christ likeness. “An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy” (Proverbs 27:5-6).

A.P.-Y.

26 thoughts on “Godly Chastisement

  1. You raised something powerful that parents who fails to discipline their children are setting them up for failure and I havs seen the enemy fighting that aspect of discipline by setting about himan rights structures around family structure to restain parents from effectively disciplining their children.
    May God help us

    Liked by 4 people

  2. Hebrews 12:11
    Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

    Verses 8-11 disks of the way out fathers punished us, not for fun, but for correction.
    Today’s problems with crime are a direct result of missing parents.
    Today’s infidelities are a result of missing parents.
    Tomorrows problems can be stopped today with careful parenting.
    I agree that the way parents are withheld from correcting their children will lead to further problems ahead.
    God bless you all

    Verses 8-11 disks of the way out fathers punished us, not for fun, but for correction.
    Today’s problems with crime are a direct result of missing parents.
    Today’s infidelities are a result of missing parents.
    Tomorrows problems can be stopped today with careful parenting.
    I agree that the way parents are withheld from correcting their children will lead to further problems ahead.
    God bless you all

    Liked by 2 people

  3. He disciplines us because he desires for us not to perish and as such as parents disciplining our children is important as we don’t want them to stray down the wrong path but to grow up to be godly individuals.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. There’s a big difference. I wrote two posts some time ago on handling criticism. The first thing to do is establish who the criticism or correction is coming from. Correction can feel like criticism to the person who isn’t ready to be corrected as well. But correction is with the aim to help someone and should be done with the spirit of love. We should be able to sense where it is coming from and it done to knock your confidence and to make you feel less about yourself, then reject. However, when it leads to godly sorrow with repentance, then it is godly correction. Correction can be done in the wrong way as some persons in authority can be harsh. Finally.. I did win the quiz so I need to correct you on that. 😂😁

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Great Post! Leaving our children at the mercy of video games as babysitters and locked in their rooms without knowing what’s going on my be modern but not moral. When we raise our children in the admonishion of the Lord we see the fruits of that labor in their adult lives and if we don’t we reap those fruits too! Blessings and Peace!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Esau later sought after the blessing of his father, but lost his opportunity due to shortsightedness.

    Anneta,I like this in regards to sexual immorality because not only was Esau shortsighted in regards to his physical appetite, he was short sighted in regards to his sexual appetite. He lusted after and rebelliously married 2 Hittite women…which served as the final nail in the coffin for him, because both Rebecca and Isaac were grieved by his wives.

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    1. Wow. I need to go back and read that chapter cus I missed that. But it makes sense as God said, ‘Jacob I loved and Esau I hated.’ God wasn’t pleased with his stinking attitude at all and that’s why although Jacob was a trickster, God allowed him to inherit the promise. 🙏🏾❤️

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