I had a good dad growing up. I know that is not a true statement for everyone.
Was I afraid of my dad? No.
Did my dad ever whip or discipline me? Yes.
Did that mean he didn’t love me? Absolutely not.
In fact, it meant that he did love me, and he wanted to correct me so I would grow up right.

I can only remember a few times when I got a whipping. After that, all he had to do was give me that look or call my name, and I straightened up.

Now, God is our Father. And just like a good earthly father, He loves us — deeply.
Does He disciplines us? Yes.
Does He use sickness or disease to do it? No.
Is He trying to hurt us or instill fear in us? No!
He corrects us because He loves us and wants us to walk in truth.

Scriptures on God’s Discipline
•    Proverbs 15:10 – Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates correction will die.
•    Proverbs 3:11-12 – 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 10:17 – He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.
•    Proverbs 12:1 – Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. 
•    Proverbs 15:5 – A fool despises his father’s instruction, but he who receives correction is prudent. 
•    Hebrews 12:5-11 (NLT) – And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, His children? He said, “My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes those He accepts as His children.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children after all. Since we respect our earthly father who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 

What Does “Discipline” Mean?

The Greek word for discipline is paideia, which means the whole training and education of children — instruction that aims to increase virtue (behavior showing high moral standards).

What does God use to discipline us? The WORD.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:16).

In Hebrews 12:5 (NKJV), the word rebuke is used. It means to convict, refute, confute, to find fault with, bring to light, to expose, correct, admonish, reprove, and to call to account.

I can think of several examples in the Word where Jesus’ words were a rebuke.

•    To Peter: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” – Matthew 16:23

•    To the accusers of the woman caught in adultery: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” – John 8:7

•    To the disciples in the boat, when a storm arose: “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” – Matthew 8:26

•    To Martha: “Martha, Martha you are worried and troubled about many things.” – Luke 10:41

There are many more, but I will let you look those up later. His words cut through all disobedience and brought correction.

A Personal Example

I have heard the rebuke of the Lord several times in my life. I’ll just share one example here.

This was during COVID. I had traveled to see my sister, and gas prices were pretty high at that time. I needed gas so I was happy to find a station with cheap gas. I pulled into the line to wait my turn when I heard the voice of the Lord inside me say:

“If I send you to the most expensive gas station around, I am good for it.” 

Oh wow! I pulled out of that line with tears streaming down my face, asking the Lord to forgive me. Now when I need gas, I don’t look for the cheapest price—because I can still hear those words resonating inside of me.

Here’s My Point 

The Lord disciplines those He loves. He is our heavenly Father, and He wants us to think and act right. He uses His Word to correct us.

So don’t despise His correction. Receive it. Respond to it. Make the necessary adjustments in your life when He disciplines you because He disciplines us for our own good—that we may share His holiness. It will bring a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it. (Hebrews 12:10-11).