Discipline

Discipline

Not used in the KJV. Rather, chasten was used, also instruct, learn, nurture, and teach.
Discipline is training for the future; punishment is penalty for the past.
Acts 7:22 “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians…” Moses’ education was characterized as training or discipline.
1 Corinthians 11:31 – 32 “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord that we may not be condemned with the world.” If we fail to be realistic about ourselves, God nudges us back to clarity.
2 Corinthians 6:9 “…as chastened yet not killed…” God’s training program may look severe to the outsider, but, contrary to appearances, is not lethal.
Ephesians 6:4 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Religious instruction is characterized as a training program.
1 Timothy 1:19 – 20 “…having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan, that they learn not to blaspheme.” Prior to Satan being chained (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6, Revelation 20:1 – 3), Christians were promised protection from Satan (Ephesians 6:11, James 4:7, 1 John 3:8, 4:4, Revelation 12:13 – 17). Paul requested the lifting of God’s protection for those two individuals so they would appreciate what they had.
2 Timothy 2:25 “…in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth…” The context parallels this correction with teaching.
Titus 2:11 – 12 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” The example of Jesus on earth demonstrates the objective.
Hebrews 6:5 – 11 “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as sons, ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful but for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”

Self-Discipline

Keep in mind that the character development required for successful self-discipline is promised to the faithful, largely through the work of the indwelling Spirit. Examples:
- Overcoming ourselves (Romans 8:9 – 14, Galatians 5:16, 1 John 5:4)
- The renewing of your mind makes you able (Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:14 – 18, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Colossians 3:10)
- Strengthened in the inner man (Ephesians 3:19)
- Partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)
- No temptation too great, and a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13)
1 Timothy 4:7 “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness”
Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
1 Corinthians 9:24 – 27 “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. And everyone who competes exercises self-control in all things. Now they to obtain a perishable crown, but we an imperishable. Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
Ephesians 4:20 – 23 “But you have not so learned Christ [refer to the list of bad behaviors preceding this verse], if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus; that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
Philippians 3:12 – 14 “Not that I have already attained or am already consistent; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have laid hold of it, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering…”
2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Titus 2:11 – 12 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”
Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food belongs to those who are consistent, those who by reason of practice have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.”
Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
And many more…