Tag: Discipline

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Discipline and Blessing- Proverbs- Week 10- Day 3

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Proverbs 29:15

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

Proverbs 29:17 

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Proverbs 29:18

Explanation:
The passage we are considering this week, Proverbs 29:1-3 and 12-20, has a theme of discipline. The first pattern we pointed out in the passage was the theme of leadership and discipline. Good leaders are self-disciplined and they bring discipline to those in their stewardship.

This leads us to a second pattern that we will see in this passage. There is a pattern of discipline and blessing seen here. The right kind of discipline brings freedom and not bondage. Let’s look at discipline and blessing in these three verses.

In verse 15 there is a connection between discipline and the blessing of wisdom. Here there are two “tools” of discipline- the rod and reproof. The rod was an implement of corporal punishment. It was a “paddle.” The Bible nowhere advocates child abuse. A small amount of pain, judiciously administered by a loving parent with the right heart attitude and the appropriate teaching (reproof), will bring about wisdom in the child over time. If you only use words and not action, the child will ignore you. Remember, “a servant will not be corrected by words” (v.19). If you use only the rod and not words, the child will begin to resent you because there is no love expressed. There will be confusion. But action-oriented discipline is powerful and effective when it is administered with the right reproof. The result is a wise child. Discipline brings blessing.

Verse 17 is similar. When a child is corrected through loving discipline it certainly takes effort. The result over time is a child that is self-disciplined and focused on others. This kind of child begins to honor and bless their parents. Again, discipline brings blessing.

Verse 18 has two contrasting sections. We will look at the first part later. Pay attention to that second part. The person that keeps the law revealed by God and meeted out by the leader experiences happiness. There is a freedom in self-discipline. There is an avoidance of pain and heartache when we do right. Discipline brings blessing.

Application:
We didn’t abandon the first pattern for this second pattern. These verses have leaders that administer discipline, but notice that second pattern. Discipline brings about blessing. Proverbs makes it clear that the parent that does not correct or discipline their child hates that child. Even if they have an affection for the child, the lack of discipline brings about the same result as the child whose parents have no affection for them. The pattern is clear. Loving leaders are self-disciplined and implement discipline because it brings about blessing.

Even if you are not a parent the principle applies. When we are disciplined it brings blessing.

Response:
• Parents, are you action oriented in the way you parent your child? Do you correct your kids? Are you loving in your approach to discipline?
• Where have you experienced blessing that was the result of discipline in your life?
• Is there an area of your life that you are finding difficulty because of a lack of discipline?

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Leadership and Discipline- Proverbs- Week 10- Day 2

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

Proverbs 29:14

A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

Proverbs 29:19

Explanation:
The theme of leadership and discipline continues in these two texts.

In verse 14 we see the responsibility of leadership to appropriately mediate over the circumstances of the poor. Dealing with those in poverty justly can be difficult. On the one hand, those who have little have been overlooked and abandoned historically because they have little to offer. It has been easy for leaders to take advantage of the poor because their lack of resources makes it difficult for them to defend or represent themselves well. On the other hand, those in poverty have been counted as virtuous because of their need. Their difficult situation has tempted leaders to overlook justice. Solomon states here that the one that is faithful in their ability to act justly will have a durable tenure. Leaders who have the discipline to judge faithfully, and meet out discipline justly to the most vulnerable, will have a leadership that is well established. That kind of leader is likely to have favor with God and man.

In verse 19 we see a principle about leadership and discipline that is very practical. If the only “tool” in the leader’s “toolbox” is words, the actions required for success may very well go undone. Words must be followed up with action. There is an old saying that goes something like, “People do not always do what you expect. They do what you inspect.” Many times we are obedient to do what we are told, but we are more likely to do what we are told if we know that we will be held accountable to do it at some point. There are some times where people are not motivated by inspiration, but rather by discomfort. It is the job of the leader to point out the discomfort of a lack of discipline. Discipline at that level must be in his toolbox if the group he leads is to succeed.

Application:
The connection between leadership and discipline is clear. Here are two principles:

  1. The effective and faithful leader is self-disciplined.
  2. The effective and faithful leader must lead people to self-discipline.

Response:
• Do you see self-discipline as bondage or freedom?
• Where do you need to grow in your own self-discipline?
• How can you “lean-in” to those who lead you when it comes to accountability?

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Leadership and Discipline- Proverbs- Week 10- Day 1

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

Proverbs 29:2-3

If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

Proverbs 29:12

Explanation:
This week’s posts will cover Proverbs 29:1-3, and 12-20. The theme of these verses is the nature of discipline. When we think about discipline we do not usually think about freedom, blessing, and the like. Discipline is not necessarily a popular thing in our culture, and yet the writer of Proverbs makes it clear that discipline is embraced by the wise and it brings about things in our lives that we need.

In today’s verses we see a pattern of leadership and discipline. In verse 2 and 3 we see the positive effects of disciplined leaders, and we see the negative effects of leadership that is not disciplined.

Verse 2 states that when the righteous, those who are disciplined, are in authority, the people rejoice. Leaders who lead righteously bring about outcomes that their followers desire. Verse 3 states that when a father leads his son in such a way that the son embraces discipline and loves wisdom, it makes the father happy, and their relationship is good.

These verses also speak to a lack of discipline. In verse 2 it says that when the wicked are in authority, it brings about horrible outcomes for their followers. In verse 3 you see that when the child does not embrace wisdom, it costs both father and son.

Verse 12 displays more of the effects of undisciplined, unrighteous leading. When a leader embraces lies, and lacks the discipline to see out the truth, it produces undisciplined followers and undisciplined environments.

In these three verses you have thriving and you have suffering. The leaders who lead rightly find a pattern of blessing, while the leaders who lead in an undisciplined way suffer along with their people.

Application:
In these two verses we see leadership in the home and in the society at large. The common denominator is discipline. There is both a leadership that is disciplined and righteous, and a leadership without discipline.

What kind of leadership are you providing in your home, in the marketplace, in the community, and in your church? Are you a disciplined person?

Leaders set the tone. They set the example.

Response:
What is an area of your personal life that you can grow in discipline?
What is an area of your leadership that needs more discipline?

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Embracing Discipline. Proverbs- Week 2- Day 5

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:  (12)  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.   

Proverbs 3:11-12

Explanation:

What an incredible analogy is presented to us in these verses!  God’s response in our lives is likened to a father with a son.  What does a loving father do with the toddler that keeps running toward traffic in the street?  The father corrects his son.  He makes sure that the pain of correction and chastening helps to curtail the behavior that would lead to more permanent and difficult pain.  The father that does not correct or discipline is dealing cruelly with their child.

Understanding this truth, Solomon says to his son not to despise the chastening of the Lord.  The discipline that God brings is indicative of His love.  The discipline is also indicative of our relationship to him as sons.

Application:

What does discipline look like?

When we discipline our kids we allow or cause difficult circumstances in order to help them to learn and to grow.  When a criminal commits a crime and is sentenced they are punished.  They have a debt that must be paid back.  We discipline our kids and we punish criminality. 

God allows circumstances and moves in our life to help us to learn and grow.  When He does this we are being chastened and corrected.

What should we remember about our pain when we are disciplined?

Remember the point.  When we endure pain from the discipline of God, we must remember the pain that is possible out there that would be so much worse.  The pain is allowed or inflicted for the purpose of making our life worse.  It is to make our life better.

Remember the product.  In the book of Hebrews we learn that there is a fruit to the chastening hand of the Lord.  Notice what the fruit in verse 11 below:

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 

Hebrews 12:11 

Remember the person.  The discipline we receive from God should remind us of the relationship that we have to God Himself.  Hebrews says it this way:

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  (8)  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  (9)  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?  (10)  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 

Heb 12:7-10 

Response:

  • How has God taught you through difficulty and discipline in the past?  What did you learn?
  • Is God disciplining you right now?  What is He teaching you?