My Son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:11-12
It easy to confuse punishment and discipline. These words are often used interchangeably
and yet they have very different meanings.
The point of similarity is that they are both responses to inappropriate
or unjust behavior. The difference is in the goal of the
response. Punishment is related to the
idea of justice. We are looking for a
suitable and just punishment to fit the crime.
The Biblical principle of “and eye for an eye” gives us a clear
understanding of this principle. This
commandment was given because humanity does not want justice when wronged…we
want vengeance. This commandment limits
and defines just punishments as never exceeding the nature and extent of the initial
transgression. Discipline is
different. It is not dealing primarily
with justice but with the betterment of the one being disciplined. Discipline can be negative in terms of
unfavorable conditions placed upon a person, but the goal is not that justice
be served – the desired result is that the behavior not be repeated. Discipline can be positive in terms of
applying a habit or action that will bring about the best good for the object –
such as imposing a bedtime upon a child who needs to sleep whether they feel
like it or not. This is the nature of
the Lord’s care of all who are related to Him through the person and work of
Jesus Christ. He disciplines us and
corrects us because He loves us. This
may not always be pleasant, but it is always for the very best.
Because He loves us. Amen. (HUG!)
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