Discipline

Discipline: What do you Mean?

February 28, 2010

Introduction

Discipline: What do you mean? It is a word with many meanings, and many different feelings. I still remember our oldest son picking up his oldest son who was misbehaving. Will’s immediate response was, “No spanking! No spanking!” He knew immediately that what he had been doing was wrong, and that he was about to be punished. He didn’t like it, and didn’t want it. Obviously, we can associate a spanking with discipline, but there are many meanings of the word discipline though most of the meanings are related in one way or other.

Ladies may describe a windy day as a “bad hair day.” Why? Because their hair is not staying where they put it. In a sense, their hair has just become undisciplined. At a very young age, some children scream in restaurants, and I ask myself why the parents tolerate this behavior.

This morning, we want to look at what the Bible says about the subject of discipline. Discipline and grace seem almost opposites in a way, yet the two are related, so let’s take a look at discipline.

Body

I. What does the Bible say about discipline in a general way?

A. Paul spoke of the need of discipline so that we might win the race.

(1 Cor 9:24-27 NKJV) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. {25} And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. {26} Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. {27} But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

B. The Hebrew writer speaks of the need of discipline.

(Heb 12:11 NIV) No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

(Heb 12:11 NKJV) Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

I think Jesus summed up much of what can be said about discipline in these words:

(Mat 6:33 NKJV) "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

1. Discipline becomes a matter of putting our lives in proper order.

2. Are we truly putting God first in our lives?

So what is discipline?

dis·ci·pline:

1 : PUNISHMENT
2 obsolete : INSTRUCTION
3 : a field of study
4 : training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
5 a : control gained by enforcing obedience or order

b : orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior

c : SELF-CONTROL
6 : a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity

Webster-Merriam Dictionary.

II. Order in our daily lives.

From the definition we just looked at:

5 a : control gained by enforcing obedience or order

b : orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior

c : SELF-CONTROL

. Control of what we say.

(James 3 NKJV) My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. {2} For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. {3} Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. {4} Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. {5} Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! {6} And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. {7} For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. {8} But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. {9} With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. {10} Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. {11} Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? {12} Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. {13} Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. {14} But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. {15} This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. {16} For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. {17} But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. {18} Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Our tongues can be used for much good.

a. Words of praise and thanksgiving to God.

b. Words of encouragement and appreciation to one another.

c. Words of teaching others the word of God.

Words can be used in very bad ways.

(James 3:9-10) With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. {10} Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

a. How do we curse me?

b. Jesus said calling a man a fool was a very serious offense.

(Mat 5:21-22 NKJV) "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' {22} "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.

ῥακά

rhaka (Aramaic transliterated into Greek)

Thayer Definition:

1) empty, i.e. a senseless, empty headed man

2) a term of reproach used among the Jews in the time of Christ

I’ve heard teenagers use the term “air head” Wouldn’t that be an emptyheade man?

d. Control of our time.

(Col 4:5-6 NKJV) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. {6} Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

e. Control of our money.

(Eph 4:28 NKJV) Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Conclusion

I. A good summary from the context our last verse.

(Eph 4:26-32 NKJV) "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, {27} nor give place to the devil. {28} Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. {29} Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. {30} And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. {31} Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. {32} And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

(Eph 5:1 NKJV) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

II. Have you been saved by the Grace of God?

Have you been baptized into Christ to acknowledge your need of Him and His blood?
Is there something you need to make right today?

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