DISCIPLINE THE LORD APPROVES

I wanted to share with you a session from the Mom to Mom – growing together study that Linda Anderson wrote. In Linda’s devotion she addressed Eph. 6:1-4 and points out verse 4 which stood out in my mind:

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”. (NIV)

The Home and Christian Standard Bible puts it this way “Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”.

And the version in “The Message” says “Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master”.

Linda Anderson goes on to say that 1) we must be confident of our responsibility as parents, 2) careful in our discipline so to not provoke anger in our children. Colossians 3:21 says “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged”. 3) We have standards in training and instruction that comes from the Lord. Hebrews 12:1-13 speaks about God disciplining his sons. “The Lord disciplines those he loves”.

Discipline begins with teaching, training and modeling
Discipline grows out of love
Discipline is for the child’s good
Discipline should begin early
Discipline should inspire and motivate – not exasperate
Discipline requires courage and perseverance

These are positive biblical principles of discipline.

I have been disciplined so many times by my Lord, but it always inspires and motivates me, and I feel it is out of God’s deep love for me and not anger. It is also for my good and so I will pass this on to my children.

My son the other day was concerned about his sister and came down hard on her with his advice. She got upset and ran to the other room. I followed her and told her that her brother loves her soooo much that he wants so much for her to listen to him for her benefit, but unfortunately says it in a harsh way. Her brother came in and I told him “although your intentions are good, you need to say it in a more loving way or else your sister will not hear the good advice and will be exasperated”. He hugged his sister and apologized and she immediately perked up.

I think we all need to be careful in how we discipline. My prayer today for myself and for you all is that we be “courageous and persevere” in the loving discipline that our heavenly Father himself approves.