The point of
discipline is to redirect or correct behavior that is inappropriate
or unacceptable.
I know we’ve all been
there. God has just pricked our hearts
via the Holy Spirit right after we let loose a barrage of hurtful words towards
our spouse. Or perhaps it was the uneasy
feeling we had when we realized just how ungrateful we were acting after they
had done something nice for us.
How is it we usually know
when we’ve just been disciplined by our Heavenly Father?
In the devotional “My
Utmost For His Highest” by Oswald Chambers, this passage speaks to that very
point: Never quench the Spirit, and do not despise
Him when He says to you – “Don’t be blind on this point anymore; you are not
where you thought you were.” …We get
into sulks with God and say – “Oh, well, I can’t help it; I did pray and things
did not turn out right…”
Are you giving the Holy
Spirit opportunity to work on your attitude?
Do you allow the Word of God to penetrate and stir your thoughts? Have godly friends approached you with
concerns over your blatant petty actions?
The Apostle Paul struggled
with things that we all deal with. He
knew God’s commands were necessary to help point us in the right
direction. However, he also knew that
his flesh – his human nature – was at times getting the best of him. Here’s how he frames the issue in Romans
7:18-23 – (The Message)
For if I
know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps
sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t
have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but
I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My
decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong
deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
It happens
so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is
there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious
that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just
when I least expect it, they take charge.
So what do you do when you
first feel the pangs of conviction start to stir?
First of all, quit making
excuses and own your sin. Don’t be stiff-necked and un-pliable. Let God chasten you for the purpose of
spiritual maturing. Embrace His gentle
and loving rebuke. In the end, it will “yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness
to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).
Tender your heart… Still your mind… Open your ears…
Next time you’ve found yourself
at odds with your mate over a matter that seems trivial, use discernment and
wisdom that only God can give. The last thing you want to face is your Heavenly
Father putting you in a well-deserved “time out”.
Deborah is the author of a Christian
non-fiction book titled “Mission
Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their
spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the
reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.
Visit
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