Discipline for Holiness

Proverbs 23:13-14

13 Do not withhold discipline from the child;

If you swat him with a reed-like rod [applied with godly wisdom], he will not die.

14 You shall swat him with the reed-like rod

And rescue his life from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).

Matthew Henry concise commentary

Here is a parent instructing his child to give his mind to the Scriptures. Here is a parent correcting his child: accompanied with prayer, and blessed of God, it may prove a means of preventing his destruction.

Miyagi’s commentary:

Have you ever been to the supermarket and see a parent running frantically after her child, catering to his demands….and the child is only 3 years old?  When a child lives without discipline and correction, he becomes like a wild animal.  He will do whatever he wants whenever he wants and he will scream and kick to get his way.  And when parents fail to discipline their child, their child begins to run the show.  They become little monsters.

God requires His people to not only walk in discipline themselves, but to discipline their children so that “they will be rescue from Sheol.”  A child who is not discipline grows up to be an adult who is not discipline.  And that is a scary sight to behold.  Have you ever seen a grown woman cry and whine  because she couldn’t get her way and her husband gives in because he doesn’t want her to make a scene?  Here is a woman who learned to get her way through crying and whining since childhood and was never corrected.  So she grows up and continues her obnoxious behavior.  It is really, really sad to see.  Why?  Because just like Peter Pan, she never grew up.  She is a just a baby in a big body.  

Summary conclusion:

A child does not know the right way to live.  He needs to be taught and trained and disciplined.  When a parent allows a child to have his way in life, that child is being set up for destruction.   If a parent loves his child, he must enforce discipline.  

Heb 12:5-8 AMP

“My son, do not make light of the discipline of the Lord,

And do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected by Him;

For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves,

And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].”

You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 Now if you are exempt from correction and without discipline, in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons [at all].

Matthew Henry concise commentary

God may let others alone in their sins, but he will correct sin in his own children. In this he acts as becomes a father. Our earthly parents sometimes may chasten us, to gratify their passion, rather than to reform our manners. But the Father of our souls never willingly grieves nor afflicts his children. It is always for our profit. Our whole life here is a state of childhood, and imperfect as to spiritual things; therefore we must submit to the discipline of such a state. When we come to a perfect state, we shall be fully reconciled to all God's chastisement of us now. God's correction is not condemnation; the chastening may be borne with patience, and greatly promote holiness. Let us then learn to consider the afflictions brought on us by the malice of men, as corrections sent by our wise and gracious Father, for our spiritual good.

Miyagi’s commentary

Just as we are commanded to discipline our children for their good, God disciplines us too when we are astray.  He will bring correction because He loves us and desires that we live and walk in wisdom.  If we were not legitimate children of God, He would not bother.  But because we are, He takes the time to bring correction.  We do well when we embrace God’s correction.  For when we receive God’s correction and we learn from it, we will become holy in His eyes.  Holiness is the goal in this life.  It far outweighs happiness.  

How to live a disciplined life?

Start by daily prayer, meditation and study.  The Word of God is the best place to start.  When we spent time with God and His word on a regular basis, we shall live a disciplined life and holiness will be the fruit of that discipline.  

What affects holiness in a person?

The company he keeps, the choices he makes and the lack of the fear of the Lord.  These are some things that affects a person’s holiness.  

Summary conclusion:

Discipline is absolutely necessary to generate holiness.  It is for our benefit.  God desires that we live with wisdom.  And discipline is required to bring forth wisdom.  

The big picture:

If you are part of God’s family, then discipline will come.  Embrace it.  

It will save you from eternal damnation and it will make bright joy to your Father.

The byword:

Receive God’s discipline and grow in wisdom and holiness.

Reject it and become a wild animal.

So what will it be?  

Miyagi