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The 'D' Word
'... those whom the Lord loves He disciplines ...' Hebrews 12:6
If there's a word that's got a seriously bad rep these days it's discipline. Oh, your great-granddad who fought in World War 2 probably thinks it's a great word, but didn't it pass its sell-by date years ago? Well maybe discipline is seriously out of fashion these days but if we think we can live without it we're seriously mistaken. The Bible is full of examples of what happens to people when their discipline goes out the window.
Check out old Eli, Israel's High Priest: he had two sons who would've been right at home in an episode of Shameless. We simply read, '... He knew that his sons refused to respect me, and he let them get away with it.' (1 Samuel 3:13 CEV). Perhaps Eli heard about the terrible things his sons were doing and said, 'Now, boys, you know you shouldn't do that.' And the boys said, 'Yes, Dad,' then went right back to ripping off the temple worshippers and copping off with the servant girls. They didn't have an ounce of self-discipline between them and their dad was worse than useless at making up for their lack.
Self-discipline - making the right choices minute by minute, hour by hour, takes time to fully develop. That's why we need people who'll bring a bit of discipline our way in the meantime. Seriously, if today you find a bit of tough love coming your way you need to welcome it, not reject it.
written by Bob Gass
'... those whom the Lord loves He disciplines ...' Hebrews 12:6
If there's a word that's got a seriously bad rep these days it's discipline. Oh, your great-granddad who fought in World War 2 probably thinks it's a great word, but didn't it pass its sell-by date years ago? Well maybe discipline is seriously out of fashion these days but if we think we can live without it we're seriously mistaken. The Bible is full of examples of what happens to people when their discipline goes out the window.
Check out old Eli, Israel's High Priest: he had two sons who would've been right at home in an episode of Shameless. We simply read, '... He knew that his sons refused to respect me, and he let them get away with it.' (1 Samuel 3:13 CEV). Perhaps Eli heard about the terrible things his sons were doing and said, 'Now, boys, you know you shouldn't do that.' And the boys said, 'Yes, Dad,' then went right back to ripping off the temple worshippers and copping off with the servant girls. They didn't have an ounce of self-discipline between them and their dad was worse than useless at making up for their lack.
Self-discipline - making the right choices minute by minute, hour by hour, takes time to fully develop. That's why we need people who'll bring a bit of discipline our way in the meantime. Seriously, if today you find a bit of tough love coming your way you need to welcome it, not reject it.
written by Bob Gass
