Wednesday, May 1 ~ Hold on to discipline; do not let it go. Safeguard it, for it means your life.​—Prov. 4:13.

[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, May 1

Hold on to discipline; do not let it go. Safeguard it, for it means your life.—Prov. 4:13.

 

While discipline may be painful, there is something that is even more painful—the harm that may result from rejecting discipline. (Heb. 12:11) Consider the example of Cain. When Cain developed a murderous hatred toward Abel, God admonished Cain: “Why are you so angry and dejected? If you turn to doing good, will you not be restored to favor? But if you do not turn to doing good, sin is crouching at the door, and its craving is to dominate you; but will you get the mastery over it?” (Gen. 4:6, 7) Cain did not listen. Then sin overwhelmed him. What needless pain and suffering Cain brought on himself! (Gen. 4:11, 12) The pain of Jehovah’s reprimand would have been mild by comparison. How Jehovah wants to spare us from such needless suffering! (Isa. 48:17, 18) So let us “listen to discipline and become wise.”—Prov. 8:33. w18.03 32 ¶18-20

[daydream]

w03 10/1 pp. 20-23

Appreciating the Purpose of Discipline

 

One dictionary defines discipline as “the practice of making people obey rules or standards of behaviour, and punishing them when they do not.” Although this is by no means the only accepted definition, many people today ascribe a similarly negative connotation to anything that has to do with discipline.

 

The Bible, however, presents discipline in a different light. “The discipline of Jehovah, O my son, do not reject,” wrote wise King Solomon. These words refer, not to discipline in general, but to “the discipline of Jehovah,” that is, discipline based on God’s lofty principles. Only such discipline is spiritually productive and beneficial—even desirable. In contrast, discipline that is based on human thinking that is in conflict with Jehovah’s lofty principles is often abusive and hurtful. That explains why many have a negative attitude toward discipline.

 

 

2 Samuel 12:7   Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man! This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: ‘I myself anointed you as king over Israel and I rescued you from the hand of Saul'

Edited May 1, 2019 by M'Awan