Walking in Godly Discipline

“My son, keep your father’s good command, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them round your neck. When you walk, their counsel will guide you; when you sleep, they will protect and watch over you; when you awake, their instruction will speak to and advise you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and corrections for discipline are the way to life” (Proverbs 6:20-23).

Welcome back dear student, discipline is a word that can make one shudder. Perhaps long ago if a person was unjustly disciplined by those in authority, it left a rotten taste in the mouth. Abusive punishment was often disguised as discipline. Godly discipline instructs, corrects, and rebukes if necessary, but is never used as a destructive weapon of power.

There’s great value from discipline. It takes discipline to study for a career, discipline to save money for a house or car. We ‘train up our children in the right way to go so that when they are old, they will not depart from it’ to protect them and teach them right from wrong (Proverbs 22:6). We train our bodies through exercise and control appetites to keep ourselves healthy and strong. Some shy away from discipline because it takes effort to resist leaning on something or someone else for fulfilment. Self-control is personal discipline.

Lots of people begin to take steps towards discipline in January. ‘New year, new you’ is a cliché often quoted. Sustainable self-control and discipline is learnt, and walked out in small, consistent steps, rather than one big drive at it. Having others walk alongside you helps with accountability. This takes teamwork and communication.

In the lead Scripture above Solomon was advising his son with Wisdom for a good life. The discipline we learn and walk in not only affects ourselves but also can impact others greatly; depending upon what we hear and how we hear it. The Amplified Bible says it this way “He who learns from and heeds instruction and correction is on the right path of Life (and for others his example is a path towards wisdom and blessing). But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course (and for others his example is a path towards sin and ruin leading them astray)” (Proverbs 10:17). That’s serious - ignoring correction can lead others astray!

Discipline and self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:7). “For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful, yet, to those who have been trained by it, it yields the peaceful fruit of Righteousness: right-standing with God - a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose” (Hebrews 12:11). Discipline trains us to focus - requiring vision, consistency, and a goal. People meet goals when they write them down in a prominent place – a constant reminder.

God told Joshua if he would meditate upon the Word, keep it in front of his eyes, and follow God’s direction daily, he would have great success (Joshua 1:7-9; Habakkuk 2:2). This is a Biblical principle that the world has caught on to. “Without vision the people perish and cast-off restraint” (Proverbs 29:18). Writing the plan, and sticking to the plan, causes one to focus on the plan, and finish with success!

Everything we need help with is already in God’s Word, but if people don’t know or study it, the enemy targets them taking them out in condemnation and defeat (Hosea 4:6; Philippians 4:13). Let Paul’s words inspire you friend: “In a race everyone runs, but only one gets the prize - so run to win…I run with purpose in every step, not just shadow boxing” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Lord, train us to follow Your ways, in Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.