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Children need parental discipline but most of them don’t want it. Those of us who are parents know the value of proactive parenting. The same is true about God who is our heavenly Father. He disciplines us because He knows that for us to reach our maximum potential, we must be properly attended to.
No true believer is an exception to the Lord’s disciplinary role. The writer of Hebrews writes, “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son [or daughter] whom He receives” (Hebrews 12:6, NASB).
Note the word “every” in the verse. It means no exceptions. The word “scourge” denotes a whip for punishment. Of course, since we are talking about God, this is not a reference to a physical whipping. But sometimes, chastisement without whipping can be more painful than physical whipping.
So, how does the Lord discipline us? He has three primary ways of speaking to us to help us grow spiritually and become more like Him. One is by the Bible. Paul writes that the Word of God is profitable for correction and reproof (2 Timothy 3:16). Another way He challenges our conduct and behavior is through the Holy Spirit. He lives in us to bring about conviction when we are out of line. Thirdly, God speaks to us is through His messengers challenging us through preaching and teaching.
These three ways God speaks to us have one common goal. It is to motivate us and to help us become more like Christ. And when we refuse to or when we are slow to respond to these primary catalysts for disciplining us, God knows how to “speak” to us more loudly to get our attention.
God’s discipline may not feel good while we are experiencing it, but in the end, it will yield us a more fulfilled Christian life.
