Biblical Theology for Transformation - 13th Posting

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid." Proverbs 12:1


Stupid? Does the Bible really use such harsh language? If you read the original language of the Bible I think you would be surprised at its vulgarity. But, yes, the Bible calls those who hate reproof, stupid! It is hard for me to say that I love discipline, but I would rather be known for that than be known as stupid.

Hebrews 12:3-11 gives us great insight into discipline.

"It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?...For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:7 & 11)

It is God who disciplines us. That is why those who do not love being disciplined are stupid. Because it is God who is working on us (Philippians 2:13). This discipline produces righteousness in us. I know from experience (and I am sure you do too) that being disciplined by God can be a painful process. Have you ever asked God to make you more patient? Or to break you or humble you? Be careful, you may receive what you ask for. I have prayed those prayers before and the process of getting those things is never the plan I had mapped out in my mind. God's plan for our sanctification (spiritual growth) is usually tougher than we may desire. But the hope lies in the fact that this discipline produces good fruit in us and is to our benefit. As Hebrews explains, our earthly fathers discipline us for our own good and we know that it can be painful sometimes. Has your dad ever spanked you? Not fun? I didn't enjoy it myself either. But as I reflect on the discipline I received from my parents, it only allowed me to make wiser decisions in the future. Our Father in heaven does the same. He disciplines us to make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ. Being disciplined by God also shows us that God loves us. Hebrews 12:8 tells us that if we are not disciplined then we are not sons of God, because God disciplines His children.

One of the tough ideas that goes along with God's discipline is discerning whether we are being disciplined by God or attacked by Satan. If you look at the life of Job you can see that Satan was God's instrument (yes, Satan is a tool) in the discipline of Job. We know this because Satan's attacks on Job (which first had to be passed by God) produced a sanctifying praise of God from Job. Satan was God's instrument of sanctification in Job's life and he can be in ours too. Though Satan's plan is for our destruction, God's plan is for our growth and love for Him.

So are you stupid? I know that sounds harsh. I must admit that I certainly have been stupid in my life. Reproof is another word for correction. There have been many times when I have been given correction (mostly from my Dad) and did not heed to it and suffered the consequences of my own stupidity. We need to be more open to correction from others and most importantly open to correction from God.

We need to be in love with the idea that God works on us. And though it may be painful, we have not suffered to the point of shedding blood, even blood on a cross (Hebrews 12:4). Jesus Christ has suffered more than any of us on OUR BEHALF. Who are we to say, "but why me God". We should be saying, "thank You for treating me as you treated Your son". The Apostles had this attitude in Acts 5:41 when they rejoiced at being beaten for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Yes, discipline is painful, but it produces in us the character of Jesus Christ. We must love the discipline of the Lord!