A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction. [Proverbs 13.1]
Here is more talk about discipline and correction again today. The correct understanding of discipline and correction is equated with wisdom.
Discipline and correction are only necessary regarding disobedience and rebellion. Nothing in the Bible teaches otherwise, even though some think it does. In fact, chapter 13 of Proverbs also contains the following truth:
Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous. [Proverbs 13.21]
Discipline and correction differ in that correction follows disobedience and discipline precedes disobedience. Both are punishment. Both fall under the category of curses. Correction addresses the action of disobedience and discipline addresses the heart of disobedience. Nowhere in the Bible is this more clearly seen than in the story of Job (Book of Job). In Job's case, even though his actions were spotless, his heart contained pride that only God the Father knew about. Discipline exposed pride's existence in Job thus justifying its application. Again, only God the Father knew of pride's existence in Job.
It is not ironic that another verse in Proverbs 13 says something about this familial insight:
Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. [Proverbs 13.24]
No matter how good children look to everyone besides parents (grandparents included), only parents really know their child (in even only a moderately functional family). Only parents can effectively address issues of disobedience in a child's heart that are unseen by others. For this reason, a parents' discipline of their child may indeed seem harsh to everyone else because they only see the child's actions and have no understanding of that child's heart.
Failure to understand what is said here has resulted in erroneous teachings about God. Untold numbers of books have been written explaining "why bad things happen to good people" that must necessarily ignore the obvious Biblical truth regarding the correlations of blessings with obedience and curses with disobedience (sin) that are clearly laid out in the Bible (Deuteronomy 28). These books, and the teaching and preaching based on them, undermine the consistency and reliability of God's good (and only good, Psalm 119.68) character as defined repeatedly in the Bible. In the end, what sounds like good advice when bad things happen to good people turns out just like Job's friends' advice whose clueless words landed them in need of repentance just like Job.
In children, discipline is something only a loving parent can deal with. However, as adults it is not impossible for us to discipline ourselves if we see our own hearts in light of God's Word (regardless what actions the world sees from us). Otherwise, our deceitful hearts can only be effectively disciplined by a loving parent, ie. our Father, God.
Correction is pretty simple to understand: "do bad, get punished." Discipline, on the other hand, is much more intimate as it deals with the heart, most of the time before actions even manifest. That is why the responsibility to discipline children falls upon their parents without outside influence and the responsibility to discipline adults falls upon Father God without outside influence (ie. Job's well-meaning, however uninformed friends). Anyone who interferes with this process is dangerously meddling.
Again, this discussion pertains to moderately functional families as it pertains to children, and, in no way justifies abuse. Consequently, this statement begs us to understand that God does not abuse His children EVER! And yet, the "when bad things happen to good people" proponents are suggesting that very thing!
The book of Proverbs contains the following relevant verse concerning the very topic of unjustified punishment:
Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. [Proverbs 26.2 NKJV]
Now, plug Jesus into this entire equation! The scope of "faith in Christ" is unimaginable to most people. Faithful followers of Christ however find new and marvelous revelation of this truth every day as they faithfully delve into God's Word, the Bible, progressively understanding more of what Paul wrote about Jesus:
But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” [Galatians 3.13]
Faith in Jesus Christ deals with both correction and discipline as they pertain to us (our actions and our heart). Outside of faith in Christ, Deuteronomy 28 is in full force. If wisdom is understanding discipline and correction, how much wiser it is to understand discipline and correction in Christ as He hung upon that Cross!
Father, what is said here is a mouthful. In fact, it's choking me a bit as I write it. However, I know it is truth because it is firmly supported by Your Word. May these words not be perceived as focus on discipline and correction as much as they are a revelation of what Jesus Christ has made available to those who believe. Father, I accept both Your discipline and correction in Jesus Christ! So be it!
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