The Positive Side Of Discipline

Professing Christians agree that being a disciple of Jesus is a good and positive thing. Yet
we often have a very negative association with the very thing that is required of every
faithful disciple: discipline. Discipline is “training that corrects, molds or perfects the
mental faculties or moral character;” “instruction having for its aim to form the pupil to
proper conduct and action;” or “correction, chastisement, punishment inflicted by way of
correction and training.”

Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me’” (Matt. 16:24). Unfortunately, rather than hearing Jesus’
call for self-denial as a gracious invitation full of hope, all too many of us perceive selfdenial
as a negative thing. Was Jesus’ self-denial in going to the cross a negative thing?
While having some negative associations and implications from an earthly perspective,
from the divine perspective Jesus’ crucifixion was ultimately glorious in what it
accomplished (Heb. 12:2). When we glory in the cross of Jesus Christ, we find no pleasure
in its cruelty and brutality; we do find joy and hope in what it meant and what it
accomplished (Gal. 6:14).

This, then, is the nature of discipline. “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the
present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness
to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11). We love and admire the fruit of good
discipline. Every parent envisions his/her child growing to maturity with strength and
success. Yet—if that vision is to become reality—it will require discipline, for “a child left
to himself brings shame to his mother” (Prov. 29:15). Instead of practicing discipline, many
people want their undisciplined lives to be not only tolerated but affirmed and validated as
legitimate. They label any discipline in the form of correction as being judgmental. Many
people misapply Jesus’ condemnation of unrighteous judgment (Matt. 7:1-5) as a means of
deflecting any application of the Word of God being made to their lifestyles. So—while we
affirm the practical importance, need, and long-term value of discipline—we may still seek
to avoid it for as long as possible.

We must keep the goal of discipline fixed in our minds. That picture of the “peaceable
fruit of righteousness” must be ever before us in order to motivate us to exercise selfdiscipline.
A church in fellowship focused on the salvation and growth of “one another”
will submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21) and discipline one another through instruction
and correction from the Word of God (1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Tim. 3:16-4:2; Heb. 10:24,25, etc.).
Yet, of all the realms of discipline, parental discipline is primary. The failure of parents to
instruct, train, correct, chastise, and punish their children in the fear of the Lord is the
primary cause of a lack of self-discipline in the lives of individuals and our families,
communities, and churches. We need to change. We need to make a conscious decision not
to react negatively to the word, concept, or action of discipline. Discipline must become a
positive word in our minds and vocabulary so that we will not flinch when we hear it. The
potential fruit of good discipline should motivate us to be eager and diligent in pushing past
any momentary unpleasantness. That’s what Jesus did for us. That’s what we should do for
ourselves, our children, and one another. ~Andy Diestelkamp