Discipline Biblical meaning, What is discipline according to the Bible?, what it means
One of the Hebrew words used in the Bible for discipline is “musar” and it means instruction, punishment, warning. This word musar (Used for discipline in the Bible) is used in scripture 50 times, most often in the book of proverbs.
What is discipline in the Bible and what does it mean?
The discipline in the Bible is for life, it should be for our whole life. Musar or discipline implies instruction with words like hear, obey, love, receive, obtain, grasp, defend, keep; however, when the instruction is not obeyed then comes the muse of punishment or discipline. “Foolishness is part of the youthful heart, but the rod of discipline corrects it” (Proverbs 22:15)
The book of proverbs is a collection that covers a wide variety of subjects. He has much to say on the subject of wealth and poverty, honesty and fair dealing, kindness, diligence in business, prudence in speech, marriage, adultery, friendship, pride, humility. , gifts, justice, integrity, character, fear of God, and also about discipline in the Bible.
One of the best ways to study the book is to take a topic, and then group them together. One theme stands out above all others in the book: the contrast between wisdom and foolishness. Wisdom begins with God and has its origin in him. The discipline in the Bible comes to counter foolishness which comes from our own human weakness.
Discipline in the Bible to counter foolishness
Foolishness is something that should be taken very seriously. Folly is very close to wickedness. It is very important, therefore, we have to discipline our children so that they also exercise self-control.
In addition to the proverbs, part of this lesson is taken from the New Testament so that we can see that it maintains the same demands for discipline in the Bible and the same kind of practical wisdom. (I invite you to read: The benefits of Wisdom)
The Reason for Discipline in the Bible
What is discipline according to the Bible? God’s love disciplines us (Proverbs 3:11-12)
From what the book of proverbs tells us about the blessings and benefits of discipline according to the Bible, it might be easy to conclude that if we do good, God will always bless us, but as Job discovered, rarely life is so simple.
There are times when we do the best we can to serve God, and yet nothing works out for us. Believers are not exempt from calamities and many suffer for no apparent reason. (Perhaps you may be interested in: The Path of Honor)
Discipline in the Bible to discipline and train us
The scriptures tell us that we must consider everything as part of God’s school of wisdom. Many times the discipline in the Bible is the punishment that he sends us to discipline and train us to develop our character.
Let’s not despise these experiences or reject them as if they were useless. Even when the Holy Spirit of God enlightens our behavior with his word, and shows us that God is correcting us, we do not get tired of his corrections.
We must face trials and difficulties as important parts of the expression of God’s love for us.
Far from meaning that God has turned his back on us, these corrections mean that we are really his children and that he pays special attention to our growth and development.
Discipline in the Bible is an indication of divine love
What discipline means in the Bible as an indication of divine love
The scriptures tell us that discipline in the Bible is an indication of divine love (Proverbs 3:12). This verse insists on the reason for submission to God’s corrections. They are corrections, but they are love corrections.
One of the most moving relationships in life with which we are most familiar, that of father and son, is used here to reconcile us to God’s disciplinary measures.
The idea of this passage is undoubtedly taken from Deuteronomy 8:5 which says “Know also in your heart, that as a man punishes his son, so Jehovah punishes you.” It is also found in other passages alluding to God’s paternal relationship with man (Jeremiah 31:9; Malachi 2:10), which finds its best expression in the Our Father.
Discipline in the Bible, should also make us think that it should make us feel attracted to God
When we have learned the truth of this passage, we will be drawn to God by discipline, not away from Him.
A human father who is a true father does not neglect the preparation of his son. We must expect God to show that he delights in us, not only blessing us, but also disciplining us when necessary.
The commentator Edwin Rice, in his work titled Orientalism of Biblical Lands, tells us that the Oriental family is a kingdom unto itself, and the father is the chief or monarch. The commentator explains to us that this concept is deeply rooted in all social spheres of activity.
The father is at the head of every meeting, of every commercial business, just as he is at the head of every tribe, community or house. Elders are frequently mentioned in the Bible, a word that denotes paternal-type leadership, whether religious or community.
Under this oriental concept of the unity and indivisibility of the family, the father never ceases to have authority and responsibility for the conduct of his son as long as they both live, no matter how old they both are.
When in writing it is said of a character that he is the son of another, something more than simple genealogical information is being given. Family members are being linked to parental leadership. (You can also read: King Solomon and the Forgetfulness of God)
Edwin Rice further observes that family or tribal loyalty in the East trumps patriotism, and this partly explains the unity of the Jewish race, which through the centuries has kept it from being assimilated by other peoples.
Biblical discipline for our children (Proverbs 13:24; Ephesians 6:1-4)
What it means to discipline our children according to the Bible
Love disciplines our children. Love, like God’s will, drives parents to discipline their children. The indulgent father may think that he loves his children, but in reality he has no real love for them. Love disciplines diligently in early childhood.
Those who find a child’s misbehavior amusing may discover too late that the habits have taken hold. In fact, there is evidence that the first years of life are the most important if we are to give children the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
The rod represents not only physical punishment, but everything that is necessary for the preparation and direction of the children in the path of the Lord. Very often, parents only scold their children when they cause inconvenience or disruption in their plans.
In cases like the above, parents often lose patience and resort to violent means, but this only makes their children feel inclined to react in the same way.
On the other hand, the Bible not only recommends the reward, but also the punishment; not only praise but also warning. Children need to receive positive instruction about sound principles, good habits, and right desires.
This requires planning and concern on the part of the parents. It takes a faithful love, that never gives up.
The Need for Discipline in the Bible
Discipline in the Bible is a Matter of Life and Death (Proverbs 15:10; 19:18; 22:15)
The Hebrew grammatical construction of Proverbs 15:10 seems to indicate that severe rebuke is necessary for those who forsake the righteous path that leads to life (Proverbs 12:28).
Solomon tells us that discipline is burdensome for the person who forgets justice (Proverbs 15:10). There are various ways to stray from the path, and it has various symptoms.
Before leaving the road, rejection by the law of God must take place. Samuel said: “For as the sin of divination is rebellion, and as idols and idolatry self-will.” He was accusing Saul of having forgotten the Word of God (1 Samuel 15:23).
The scriptures point out that those who stray from God often become entangled in idolatry (Leviticus 26:30; Isaiah 10:10-11). Pride is also on the list of evils that need discipline (Isaiah 10:12; 24:21; Luke 14:11).
Some people stray from God’s way and become greedy (Isaiah 57:17; Jeremiah 51:13), or persecute God’s faithful followers (Jeremiah 11:21-22; Matthew 23:34-36).
Discipline in the Bible, divine discipline is administered according to works (Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6) and according to the degree of knowledge that the transgressor has (Luke 12:47-48).
The Lord’s chastisement is not meant to destroy us, however, if we reject correction, if we rebel against it, it will cause us death (Romans 6:23). Death is a punishment for the wicked, because it is the end of all opportunity, but it is not so for the just. A passage from the book of Proverbs expresses it very clearly: “By his wickedness the wicked will be cast out; but the just have hope in his death” (Proverbs 14:32).
If parents want their children not to die like the wicked, they must discipline and admonish them in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
The phrase “as long as there is hope” found in Proverbs 19:18 has a double meaning. It indicates first of all that discipline must be administered before it is too late. But the phrase “while there is” can also be translated “so that there is”, discipline is the only thing that can bring hope to the future of the child.
The seriousness of all this is indicated by the phrase “to destroy it.” In other words, do not behave leniently to avoid difficulties with the child; he would thus be contributing to his delinquency and to the death and destruction that will follow.
This also implies that the father should never consider his son incorrigible, or abandon all attempts to direct him in the ways of God. The father who lets his son do what he wants is in a certain sense guilty of a crime, and perhaps of the eternal damnation of that son’s soul.
Natural Folly (Proverbs 22:15)
That is a false doctrine…