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

The Rewards of Humility

Proverbs 22:4 amp

The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord

Is riches, honor, and life.

Matthew Henry concise commentary

Where the fear of God is, there will be humility. And much is to be enjoyed by it; spiritual riches, and eternal life at last.

Miyagi’s commentary

If a person has the fear of the Lord, he has humility.  Therefore, those who are prideful and arrogant lack this fear of the Lord and forfeit all the benefits that comes with having humility such as riches, honor and eternal life.  God desires that His people walk with humility and He blesses those who do so.  But man tries to gain all these benefits through deceitful means when all they have to do is just be humble.  That is the easier way.  

Summary conclusion:

God rewards the humble, those who has a realistic view of themselves.  The proud, on the other hands, brings destruction to themselves because they have an unrealistic view of themselves...thinking they are better than everyone else.  

Luke 18:14 AMP

…..for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself [forsaking self-righteous pride] will be exalted.”

Matthew Henry concise commentary:

Let us beware of presenting proud devotions to the Lord, and of despising others. The publican's address to God was full of humility, and of repentance for sin, and desire toward God. His prayer was short, but to the purpose; God be merciful to me a sinner.  And God's glory is to resist the proud, and           give grace to the humble. Justification is of God in Christ; therefore the self-condemned, and not the self-righteous, are justified before God.

Miyagi’s commentary:

How difficult it is for man to “forsake self-righteous pride.”  In this society, people boast of pride.  Everyone wants to be the best and brightest in the crowd.  All wants to stand out and be number one.  To take the position of humility is far and few in between.  But Jesus honors the humble and exalts them.  And He resists the proud.  So the Lord values the very thing that the world despises, which is humility.  Interesting how the world’s view of what is important is totally upside down.  What God values, this world despises.  

So humility is the result of the fear of the lord and the consequences of having the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life.  The presence of a humble attitude gives way to a teachable and discipline spirit.  So we do well to be humble, and teachable in the ways of God.  

Summary conclusion:

Humility and pride are polar opposites.  One is rewarded by God while the other is punished by God.  Humility brings true rewards while pride brings destruction.  To choose humility is the way of wisdom.   Yet so many foolish people today are still holding on to their pride.

The big picture:

We seek to be humble, but we can never claim to have arrived.  Because humility is a funny thing.  Once you think you have it, you don’t.  

The byword:

When in doubt, take the humble route…. because humility always wins.  

Miyagi

Let God toot your horn

Let God toot your horn

Proverbs 20:6

Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness,

But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man?

Matthew Henry concise commentary

It is hard to find those that have done, and will do more good than they speak, or care to hear spoken of.

Miyagi’s commentary

Most people like to boast about their accomplishments.  Seldom do we find a person who does countless good for the Lord and remain silent.  Man has this innate need for approval and acceptance.  Somehow, many want to look good in the eyes of man.  But one thing that is more important is to be holy in the eyes of God.   Since God is the One who rewards faithfulness and good behaviors, we ought to seek His approval, not man’s.  We are to work hard and make sure that God is pleased with our labor, not man.  For man to toot his own horn is nothing.  But if God were to toot that person’s horn, it is quite a different matter.  

Summary conclusion:

In all that we do for the Lord, let us work in humble silence and just be a living example for the world.  There is no need to toot our own horn.   God sees all things and shall reward us accordingly.

Psalm 37:5-6

5 Commit your way to the Lord;

Trust in Him also and He will do it.

6 He will make your righteousness [your pursuit of right standing with God] like the light,

And your judgment like [the shining of] the noonday [sun].

Miyagi’s commentary

Here, we are reminded that God is the One who will make the righteous shine.  This Scripture says “like the noonday sun” which means for the world to see.   Everyone can toot their own horn and many still do today.  But when God toots your horn, it will be as loud as a bell.   God is the One who exalts the humble.  He is the rewarder of faithfulness and diligence.  

Summary conclusion:

Is God blessed by the things we say and do?  Faithful performance and execution of His word is wisdom.  So we commit our ways to the Lord.  It is all about Him.  So if we execute His word and commit to that work on a daily basis, the horn will toot automatically.

The big picture:

When a person commits his ways to God, he is letting God be in control of his life.  He is submitting his will unto the Lord.  And when a person does this, God is pleased and He shall reward him openly.  

The byword:

When we make God shine in this world, His glory will be shown through us.  

Miyagi