Discipline:Not a Dirty Word

When I mention the word discipline, do you bristle? I’d guess that the majority of us do.  Visions of a pinch-faced school marm, an angry parent or a hard-nosed judge come to my mind.  People associate the word in unfavorable ways, and we shouldn‘t.   Without discipline we have chaos.  One only has to look at a 2 year old child, whose parents are afraid to take control.  Tantrums, back-talking, crying, and screaming ensue, and the children are even worse!!

Discipline is not, and never should be, an excuse for child abuse. As a noun the word means: training to act in accordance with rules.  As a verb: to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.
I think that we can all agree that discipline, while not always pleasant, is necessary in every aspect of life.  A parent who refuses, or is afraid to discipline, is just as guilty of abuse as one who beats his child.  Years ago I came across a small article entitled, What Shall we Give the Children?”  The first part talked about giving them happy memories, and lots of love, but the part that really struck me was this.  “ Discipline your children, for if you do not, the world will do it for you, and not in a loving way.”  If we truly love our children, we will bring them up in an environment that values obedience and order.

 The old and new testaments refer to this topic often.  For example:  “Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.” Proverbs 19:18. Or, “Don't fail to discipline your children. They won't die if you spank them.” Proverbs 23:13. We, as adults need not fear, or grumble at the Lord’s correction in our lives, either.  He is our loving father, and His discipline is intended to keep us on the right track, not to break our spirit or bring injury. This section from the book of Hebrews sums it up so well.  “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:7-11.  Get out your bushel baskets!!