Lead By Example

He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. (Pro 10:17)

I know that obedience is important, and that God disciplines me to teach me obedience, and that when I ignore his correction and continue to disobey I will suffer the consequences of my disobedience. But I rarely think about the full impact of my defiance – how it affects those around me. It is not just those who are directly affected by my misdeeds. I am a leader in my family and other spheres of influence, and my example will influence those around me either for good or ill. Lord, help me to recognize the seen and unseen consequences of my sin. I never just hurt myself, I hurt others around me. I want to be a godly example to others. Let me be a positive influence on those around me. Amen.

Slow Learners

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. (Heb 5:11)

Ouch! The author of Hebrews doesn’t pull any punches. He has just been explaining that Jesus is a “high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” No doubt if the Bible were a college, Hebrews would be an upper level course. But the author doesn’t say, “It is hard to explain because it is complicated.” He says, “It is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.”

What makes us slow to learn? Ask any teacher. It’s not the brightest kids who learn the most; it’s the ones who make the effort. In this passage the author of Hebrews chides his readers for not investing the time, for not being like “the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (v14) In this respect we are no different than the New Testament readers of Hebrews. Why is it so hard to invest the time to study the Bible daily? The flesh rebels. There are so many other things to do with our time. Bible study is like an investment. We invest a portion of our day in it consistently and over time we reap great rewards. But there are always other things we could spend our money on that will yield immediate gratification. And so with our time as well.

Lord, thank you that you have brought me to a place in my life where I have been reading your Word consistently every day. Forgive me for taking so long to establish that discipline. Help me to overcome the daily temptation to spend this time in other ways. Help me to keep my priorities straight. Thank you for the blessings that I receive when I am faithful to stay in your Word. Amen.

Remedial Reading

…for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life. (Pro 1:3a)

Proverbs seems written especially for the young to learn wisdom – as a father might teach his son. But some of us older men still have great need of its teaching. I hope that it is never too late to “acquire a disciplined and prudent life.” I could use both discipline and prudence in great abundance. I suppose that is why it is a good idea to read Proverbs over and over again, twelve times a year. Lord, help me to learn discipline and prudence. Amen.

Slowly But Surely

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Rom 12:2a)

Toward this end, one very practical thing I can do is to devote myself daily to prayer and reading God’s Word. Another is in verse 1, “offer your bodies as living sacrifices.” I daily pray a prayer of surrender. And as many times during the day as my mind snaps back to it, I confess my love and service to him again. These are the very practical disciplines which I was taught in the One on One discipleship study. It is sometimes disheartening to me that I am so far from being the man of God that I aspire to be. Yet I believe and trust that slowly, almost imperceptibly, as I faithfully execute these daily disciplines I am being molded into that man of God. I know his word will not come back void, nor his Spirit fail to move.

No Regrets

At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!” (Pr 5:11-12)

I don’t want to leave this life with any regrets. Of course, there are already many things I regret, but I would like for these latter days to be characterized by obedience. I have too often spurned discipline and correction. I want to be a good steward of what I have been given so that the Lord will earn a good return on his investment in me. Lord, help me embrace your discipline and correction so that I may become the man of God you have called me to be.

Keep Your Eyes on the Road

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. (Pr 4:25)

I want to stay focused on Jesus, who is my Lord and my purpose for living. I do not want to be distracted or derailed by sin. Looking aside is a perfect metaphor for being distracted. I remember a story told by some friends of ours. Their son Steve was learning to drive. They were letting him drive on the way up to their place in the country. Whenever he would see something interesting, like a deer grazing in a field, he would turn his head to look at it. And whatever direction his head turned the car began to follow. They would have to yell, “Look out, Steve!” That’s just like us when we take our eyes off of Jesus. The car begins to head into the ditch.

Lord, I want to keep my eyes on the road you have laid out for me. I know you have given me everything I need to be obedient to you. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Pet 1:3)

Breaking Free

The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. (Pr 5:22-23)

Sin is a snare. The more we indulge in it, the more tightly it holds us. It takes discipline to stay out of the snare, and it is even harder to break free once we are in it. I don’t want anything to distract me from God and his calling on my life. Lord, by the power of your Spirit help me to break free of all my besetting sins and walk with you in discipline and righteousness.

Pursuit of Wisdom

My son, if you accept my words
   and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
   and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
   and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
   and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
   and find the knowledge of God. (Pr 2:1-5)

Wisdom doesn’t usually just hit us over the head. We must diligently seek it. That is, we must diligently seek God, who is the source of all wisdom. It is a lifelong journey – a quest to which we must continually apply ourselves with steadfastness of purpose.

This Hurts Me More Than It Hurts You

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. (Pr 19:18)

Children need our discipline, as unpleasant as it may be at the time for both us and them. To grow up with impulses unchecked by parental discipline leads to great suffering later.

The Rod of Correction

A servant cannot be corrected by mere words; though he understands he will not respond. (Pr 29:19)

See also:
The rod of correction imparts wisdom. (Pr 29:15)

Discipline your son, and he will give you peace. (Pr 29:17)

Discipline is essential in every authority relationship, not just child rearing. And mere words of correction are insufficient; there must be appropriate consequences for inappropriate behavior. This is true at home, at school, in the workplace, in the military, and regarding the law. When I am in authority, as a parent or at work, it is not inappropriate for me to bring correction to the one who is under me. Indeed it is better for both of us. And for the same reason God disciplines us as well.

Rebuking in Love

He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue. (Pr 28:23)

My first instinct is to always watch out for hurting someone’s feelings, so I often hold my tongue when I perhaps ought to rebuke them. I know this verse can be abused by those who like to vent their anger and call it “rebuke.” But sometimes I do more harm than good by holding my tongue, and instead finding something to compliment them on. Especially as a father, there are times I need to bring correction. Lord, help me to choose wisely in each situation. Help me to know when encouragement is needed for failure and when rebuke is needed for waywardness.

Sharpening Stones

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Pr 27:17)

We have to be a bit abrasive if we are going to help each other, and we have to be in close contact. There’s no substitute for meeting regularly and sharing what’s really going on in our lives. There’s no substitute for speaking frankly with each other when the situation warrants it. Not that we should ever be rude, but speaking the truth in love. Of course we should be encouraging, too. But when a brother is deceiving himself, when he is blind to his self-destructive behavior, we must tell him if we truly love him.

This Is Serious

You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! (Pr 5:12)
He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. (Pr 5:23)

I am too tempted to spurn discipline, especially self-discipline! These verses show it is a serious matter.