Love Discipline?
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
The writer of Hebrews rightly said, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant,” (Hebrews 12:11). It is exactly because of the pain of discipline that we are exhorted earlier in Proverbs to “not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,” (Proverbs 3:12). So it seems strange that we are told here that we should love discipline.
Why would anyone love discipline? Who loves a good beating?
This verse along with the verses in Hebrews 12 and Proverbs 3, point us to the outcome of discipline and reproof. They remind us that discipline is a sign of God’s love. It shows that we are His children, cared for by Him.
God is concerned with our growth and maturity. He wants us to flourish as people and become all that He created us to be. Spiritual growth doesn’t happen to its full extent apart from discipline.
The way this verse explains it is that discipline and reproof help us grow in knowledge and wisdom. While reading and studying is good and helpful, and I highly recommend it, we need correction from the Lord to truly learn the truths necessary for a truly good life.
We are not asked to love discipline for discipline's sake. We are not to become masochists. We are to love discipline because of what discipline produces in our lives. When we are corrected, we are reminded that we are loved and that God is working for our good and growth.
