The Torah Network

3 yrs

DISCIPLINE – PART 1

Ask someone what discipline is and you will likely hear the word punishment. But that is not what the Bible’s concept of discipline is all about. Discipline in the Bible is goal oriented seeking to develop a godly person who will walk in Elohim’s ways. We tend to think of discipline as keeping others in line, but at the heart of discipline is discipling, helping people become followers, particularly followers of Moshiach. The emphasis is on loving guidance and teaching. Discipline shapes a person’s character and helps her or him to behave correctly. The word comes from a Latin word meaning – instruction - or - training. To discipline means to help others live their lives so that they can do what they ought to do. Discipline, though we often fear it, does not have to be stern or harsh.

BIBLICAL TEACHING
Although used only once in the King James Version -- Job 36:10, the word -discipline- in various noun and verb forms, occurs frequently in modern versions of the Bible. The Hebrew and Greek words commonly translated as -discipline- are also sometimes translated as -reproof; warning; restraint; correction; or -especially in KJV)- chastisement. More positive sounding synonyms include: upbringing; training; instruction; and education. In the Old Testament, the word -discipline- is used in ways that are noticeably more negative than in the New Testament. Old Testament -discipline- is usually expressed in the form of -Don’t do …; if you do, I will punish you. YHVH’s Old Covenant with Israel is a set of Laws and Laws generally specify what one cannot do, rather than what one can. YHVH’s New Covenant in the New Testament leads the authors of the New Testament Books to take a more positive view of discipline. Yet both Covenants had the same goal: righteousness. If the Old Testament writers pay a lot of attention to YHVH’s punishment for sinners, they do so to warn sinners about the nature of sin by showing them where sin leads. In addition to negative discipline punishment, the Bible also contains examples of positive discipline or reward for good behaviour. The Old Testament frequently speaks of YHVH exercising discipline over Israel -- Leviticus 26:23; Deuteronomy 4:36; 8:5; Jeremiah 31:18 --, over the nations -- Psalm 94:10 --, or over individuals -- Job 5:17; Psalm 94:10, 12; Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelation 3:19. Parents are warned to discipline their children -- Deuteronomy 21:18 -- and fathers to discipline their sons -- Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13; 29:17; see also Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:7-10. Pastors discipline their churches -- 2 Timothy 2:25. People fear discipline from YHVH -- Psalm 6:1 -- but it is His wrath that should be feared. His wrath is directed only against those who have proved themselves to be His enemies -- Deuteronomy 11:2-3. YHVH’s discipline is different from His wrath and should not be feared -- Proverbs 3:11 -- or taken for granted -- Hebrews 12:5. YHVH disciplines His people as a loving father disciplines a beloved son -- Deuteronomy 8:5; Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:5-7. Only a fool or wicked person hates YHVH’s discipline -- Psalm 50:17; Proverbs 5:12; Jeremiah 31:18. According to Scripture, a wise person should love discipline -- Proverbs 12:1; 13:24; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 12:5, 9. The result of discipline is knowledge -- Proverbs 12:1 -- and parents’ delight -- 29:17 . One who is disciplined is blessed -- Job 5:17; Psalm 94:12. Discipline is called the way of life -- Proverbs 6:23. It saves one from destruction -- 19:18 -- and allows one to escape both folly -- 22:15 and YHVH’s condemnation of the world -- 1 Corinthians 11:32. It helps us learn to share YHVH’s Holiness -- Hebrews 12:7 -- and gives us the peaceful fruit of righteousness -- Hebrews 12:11. Without discipline, we will be mired in sin, abandoned by YHVH -- Leviticus 26:23-24 -- and swallowed up by death -- Proverbs 5:23 -- and destruction -- Proverbs 19:18. The book of Proverbs tells us that discipline is necessary to help us avoid sexual sin -- 5:12-23; 6:23-24. Loose or wicked women are often used in this book as symbols of many kinds of enticing, deceptive situations. To be able to act maturely in such situations requires that young people respond to wise and loving parental discipline so that they learn to live disciplined lives. They will then do what is right by the -bent of nature- because their inner nature has been shaped to conform to what is right. The book of Hebrews urges its readers to learn from discipline rather than reacting against it. No individual should think lightly of the discipline of Elohim -- Hebrews 12:5. Discipline is important, and we shouldn’t laugh at it. On the other hand, we should not lose courage when we are punished by YHVH; in other words, we shouldn’t be so preoccupied by our punishment that we give up hope. There is a reason for what happens: No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening; it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way -- Hebrews 12:11. The exhortation is not to reject discipline or be dejected by it, but to accept it and be instructed by it.

SELF-DISCIPLINE
Self-discipline is an important idea in the New Testament. Because Yeshua came, believers have been set free from -- the law of sin and death -- and have -- the Law of Ruach of life in Yeshua Moshiach -- Romans 8:1-8 -- to change our inner selves so that we can fulfil YHVH’s Laws. The indwelling Ruach of YHVH enables believers to exercise self-discipline. Spiritual transformation is accompanied by renewal of the mind -- Romans 12:2, which brings us a new understanding of ourselves, our motivations, and our attitudes.

PARENTAL DISCIPLINE
The family is the basic human community. Parents are given the responsibility of guiding and correcting their children -- Deuteronomy 6:7; Proverbs 22:6. The Bible is essentially pessimistic about human nature; we do not behave well unless we are carefully taught to. Therefore, parents are urged not to leave children to their own natural tendencies. Parents must provide their children with role models through their behaviour, attitudes, and values. They must also teach their children through instruction and discipline, including punishment. Advice, exhortation, counselling, family devotions, and Scriptural training in gatherings and Shabbat schools are the best ways of training a child. But parents may also need negative measures, such as rules and punishments. When small children do not listen to their parents, punishment is necessary to persuade them -- Proverbs 13:24. Physical discipline, such as spanking, should only be given when parents’ rules and principles have been clearly stated; Parents must avoid punishing their children out of simple anger or irritation and must never cause injury to a child. Physical punishment should be used as a last resort and should not be done in a way that will cause anger in children without teaching them anything -- Ephesians 6:4. Humans are sinful, and even children are self-centred -- Psalm 51:5. Somehow children must learn respect for themselves and for others. Left on their own to be influenced by a sinful society, they can become rebellious social misfits, leaving a trail of heartache in their own lives and in the lives of other people. One must love one’s children enough to discipline them