Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” Proverbs 13:24

“Son I’m doing this because I love you”,The father says as he slips off his belt and draws it back as he prepares to swat his child’s rear end. Yeah right the son thinks as his body tenses up and he gets himself ready for the impact. In the next few moments that child is going to feel lots of things. A bit of anger and frustration, a little bit of sadness and sorrow and a whole lot of pain on his backside. But he is not expecting to feel loved in that moment.

Was his father lying? Did we just find a typo in the Bible? Maybe his father and the Bible are wrong. Not at all, Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, realizes that discipline done right is motivated by love.

When a father sees something ugly, destructive, or damaging coming out of his son he knows that the most loving thing he can do is address it. He must take action. And when the thing is ugly enough and serious enough that action may even need to be physical. The pain that comes with the swat is is a real and tangible reminder of where all sin leads. Sins may promise big pleases but they always bring sharp pains.

The father that is diligent with loving discipline teaches his son to flee from all of these destructive and damaging things that lead to certain pain and misery.

God is no different when it comes to dealing with his kids.

Hebrews 12:5-6 ESV says, My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

There are times when God’s children wonder into sin. Hard hearts and selfish attitudes that linger may demand the fathers attention. And wile our earthly fathers may mishandle the rod from time to time our Heavenly Father never does. When he disciplines he does it with perfect wisdom and care.

And if you find yourself under God the fathers discipline consider these two things.

#1 Do not take His discipline lightly. God is not careless with His discipline. So if he finds reason to correct you, pay attention and respond with repentance. Chances are that you are headed in a dangerous direction.

#2 Count your self blessed - The Lord disciplines those whom He loves. Know that The very thing driving His discipline is the love He has for you as His child.

Ver todos los episodios