How important is ‘discipline’ to right living in family and society? Firstly, before answering that question we need to have a right understanding of what discipline is. My Collins Gem Australian Dictionary defines discipline as ‘training/punishment that produces orderliness, obedience, and self-control.’

Hmmm… that explains why in my high school years my teacher at times needed to dispatch me to the Principal’s office. (It wasn’t because the Principal wanted to get to know me better.) To my shame, I confess my classroom behavior was disorderly, disobedient, and out of control. Such an attitude is wrong, wrong… wrong! I showed disregard and disrespected my teacher, fellow students, and parents – I was blind to see that my attitude was wrong and needed correction.

If we were to conduct a public survey, asking people to classify discipline as being either something that is good, or bad, some/many would say ‘bad’ – being mindful of the pain component (not the gain) that is associated with discipline.

Having a ‘discipline is bad’ mind-set is not right, and needs correcting. 😊 Consider God’s view of discipline. He says in Hebrews 12:11, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way: (NLT).  

Is discipline really necessary? Yes, it is, when you take into account that every person is born in a dysfunctional state (revealed in a variety of unpleasant ways). Uncontrolled anger, jealousy, hatred, lust, dishonesty, vengeful, unforgiving, impatience and fault-finding are some of my past dysfunctional traits.

In my pre-Christian life I knew I was broken, but I couldn’t correct myself – My parents couldn’t correct me – Society couldn’t correct me. I remained in this broken-state for twenty-six years until I encountered God, and came to realise that He is the One who is able to help my state of dysfunction – He is the One who is able to bring about the correction I needed. (As my state of correction is not yet complete, I gladly remain His work-in-progress.)

 Friends, every person is broken in one way or another, and we can’t fix our brokenness – No human agency can fix our brokenness. However, God can! The Bible offers us a right view of discipline. Embracing this view allows the Holy Spirit to restore you to your original fault-free design!