I was brought up on the cornerstone of discipline, and sure enough that time when I went stayed out late without telling my parents, or that time that I kicked my sister because we weren’t getting along I felt the brunt of the meaning of discipline, but when you think about it discipline has another meaning, and it’s the ability to obey despite what outside influences might be telling you to do otherwise.

Hebrews 12:7-8
New International Version (NIV)

7 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.

First you are disciplined because you are loved, it’s not always pleasant because it grids against the very parts of us that desire to rebel, the selfish parts that wish to keep us following only our own rules, but let’s be honest, we make mistakes, and most times even our rules are flawed. Secondly we all need discipline because it invites wisdom into our lives, it helps us to see and understand things that are beyond us at the time of learning, it’s the ability to heal broken hearts before they happen and save a child from being run over by a car speeding down the road.

The bible is its own discipline and too many times we forget to obey what we have learned from it out of convenience. 1 Samuel 15:22 also says that the lord delights more in obedience than in sacrifice. Our goal should be to think and act as someone striving after the heart of God. In order to reach this goal first we must learn to obey.

Questions to ask yourself…

1. How do my actions reflect obedience toward God?
2. Do I show others around me love by how I discipline those who may not have my experiences?
3. Can I accept correction with a humble heart?

COMPOSED BY: JESSE BANNING