If correction orbits around the parent who has been offended, then
the focus will be venting anger or, perhaps, taking vengeance. The
function is punitive. If, however, correction orbits around God as the
one offended, then the focus is restoration. The function is remedial.
It is designed to move a child who has disobeyed God back to the path
of obedience. It is corrective.
Discipline: An Expression of Love
Making small talk during a coffee break at a pastor’s conference, I
overheard someone else’s conversation. Two fathers were talking
about their children and I couldn’t resist listening in.
“I’m too hard on them,” commented Dad #1. “I discipline them all
the time. I really have to; my wife loves them too much to discipline
them.”
“I guess you and your wife need to strike some sort of a balance,”
Dad #2 observed.
“Yes,” continued Dad #1 reflectively. “We need some balance
between discipline and love.”
I almost choked on my doughnut! Balance discipline and love? I
thought of Proverbs 3:12: “ ... the Lord disciplines those he loves, as
a father the son he delights in.” Proverbs 13:24 rushed to mind: “He
who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to
discipline him.” Revelation 3:19: “Those whom I love, I rebuke and
discipline.” How can you balance discipline and love? Discipline is an
expression of love.
The conversation that I overheard is not uncommon. Many parents
lack a biblical view of discipline. They tend to think of discipline as
revenge—getting even with the children for what they did. Hebrews
12 makes it clear that discipline is not punitive, but corrective.
Hebrews 12 calls discipline a word of encouragement that addresses
sons. It says discipline is a sign of God’s identification with us as our
Father. God disciplines us for our good that we might share in his
holiness. It says that while discipline is not pleasant, but painful, it