Discipline Required in Sundry Relationships

“To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. The Lord approves of those who are good, but He condemns those who plan wickedness. Wickedness never brings stability; only the godly have deep roots. A worthy wife is her husband’s joy and crown; a shameful wife saps his strength.” (Proverbs 12:1-4, NLT). [Read Proverbs 12]

As we move through Proverbs, if you’re reading the entire chapter each day as suggested, you will note that we are now in a section (chapters 10 – 22) that contain sage teachings on many subjects. The statements are in the usual Hebrew poetic parallelism (as I have mentioned), and the subjects change almost verse by verse. It is difficult, therefore, to select verses on which to concentrate for a brief devotional, or even to give a subject to the passage being considered. The subject I select day by day is just from my own observation and not necessarily a cover-all for the chapter at hand. But as I read and reread as carefully as possible the exemplary advice in Proverbs 12, it seemed that discipline was involved in all the relationships mentioned. A Christian, of all persons, should lead a disciplined life. Jesus spoke of it when He taught: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, KJV). In this inviting passage, Jesus spoke of His yoke (discipline to help us be “in harness” for Him) as being “easy”. Another way of terming Jesus’s discipline is to say His yoke fits the Christian and does not chafe or cause discomfort while we work with, for and alongside Him. The New Living Translation gives Proverbs 12:1 in rather blunt terms: “it is stupid to hate correction.”

I have, to date, five wonderful great grandchildren. Let me use them as an example of discipline administered to very young children of this generation. I am grateful that their parents (my grandchildren and their spouses) are teamed up to give positive and nurturing discipline. The results I see are little ones who recognize parameters of allowable and non-permitted behavior. Parents are consistent in requirements and make good use of setting rules and requiring “time out” for untoward behavior. Discipline is always important. Without discipline, there is a question of whether children are truly loved. In all of the 28 verses of Proverbs 12, discipline is evidenced in each relationship or action cited. It would take too long to list strong synonyms for discipline; a few are self-control, self-restraint, diligence, correction, training, order, chastisement. The writer of Hebrews, likewise, knew the value of discipline: “My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes those He accepts as his children” (Hebrews 12:5-6, NLV). Discipline is required in all human relationships: marriage, family, child-rearing, learning, work and social interaction. Otherwise, chaos exists.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Saturday, July 10, 2010