About Discipline

Hebrews 12:5-6 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.

The very word Discipline reminds me of my teenage years when certain and specific words took on a meaning that basically "turned me off". The other unacceptable word that fit into the same category was responsibility, which meant to me as a teenager...having to do whatever I didn't want to do. Discipline in my book of teenage definitions always meant punishment or consequences. Almost like what the word exercise means to me today.

Why is discipline such a negative word? I think it comes from our tendency to learn from experience instead of from principle. For example, if we learn the lessons of life after we have suffered the consequences of our choices and actions, we tend to understand discipline only as punishment. On the other hand if we see Discipline as the practice of self-control, that then guides our choices and actions, only then will it take on the definition of a character trait.

The best example of Discipline comes from the root of the meaning that gives us the word Disciple, which for us as Christians, means one who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Disciple's actions and choices were by definition their discipline. We have much to learn from their example.

Let's look at three key character traits of the Disciples that made their discipline a lot easier. When they practiced these traits it made their following of Jesus simpler.

Obedience---Obviously the most important character trait of a disciple that would help them with discipline would be obedience, defined as doing what you're supposed to do. Without obedience we could not practice discipline.

Faith---Another key element to discipline is the character trait of faith. We must believe wholeheartedly in what we are doing or discipline will be nearly impossible.

Strength---The last essential element of the disciple life of discipline is strength, without which, the extra effort that following Christ takes would not be possible.

Discipline is not easy, and if you don't practice it, you will especially need it and probably get it anyway. I think that discipline is easier to deal with as a plan, and not a consequence. As a teenager, I did not like the word discipline at all, but, as I got older, I understood that, if I would use the character traits of obedience, faith and strength, then discipline seemed to come easier and far less painful. Do you tend to learn only from experience? If so, then you will probably experience a lot of discipline as a consequence of your actions and choices. But, if you can muster the strength to faithfully obey, then discipline will be a natural outcome of your actions and choices.

If given the choice to learn now and avoid the consequences, wouldn't we choose to practice discipline just to avoid trouble? Sometimes doing what we should do is not easy, but it is easier than the option, if we really think about it.

Hope this made you think when you read it as much as it made me think when I wrote it.

In Him, Pastor Fred

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