The Dangers and Delights of Discipline

Harmony: a consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangement of parts.

Discipline: an activity, exercise, or regimen that develops or improves a skill; to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.

Absent Discipline Destroys Harmony

Harmony is like health. It takes a lot of work to do it well, and without practice it won’t last long.

Discipline is Unnatural

Galatians 5:13–26 NASB95

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Discipline is Uncomfortable

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NASB95

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

You can’t be a disciple without discipline. If you choose the path of least resistance in life you will end up separated from Jesus and His Bride, the Church.

Matthew 7:13–14 NASB95

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Proverbs 16:18–26 NASB95

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly. The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.

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Bad Discipline Distorts Harmony

When we exercise dominion over someone else in the church we are sitting on a throne that doesn’t belong to us.

Domineering Elders

Matthew 20:20–28 NASB95

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

1 Peter 5:1–4 NASB95

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Elders are called to care for God’s people like Jesus does. Sometimes that does mean correction, but it is always within the context of love.

Domineering Members

Hebrews 13:17 NASB95

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Members must keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is real, that He builds God’s Church, and that He will deal with elders who abuse God’s people.

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Good Discipline Develops Harmony

Personal Discipline

1 Corinthians 12:7 NASB95

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 Timothy 4:7–9 NASB95

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

There is a direct correlation between your spiritual maturity and your spiritual ability. God will use you if you are useful, but becoming useful takes personal discipline.

Church Discipline

Matthew 18:15–20 NASB95

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

The goal of church discipline is to maintain the love, purity, and harmony of God’s Church. Church discipline is not a club that God gives us to beat one another with, it is a process to help us grow and mature.

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Reality show “The Cut” about knifemaking. The true test of a weapon is its endurance under stress. A knife can be both beautiful and worthless in combat. In order to become strong, the metal must be heated and cooled (tempered) multiple times. An undisciplined Christian may look good on the outside but may be useless in God’s army. An undisciplined church may look healthy and strong to others but may be ineffective at actually making disciples.

CONCLUSION

Is your discipline absent? Don’t expect to be used by God if you aren’t preparing to be used by God.

Is your discipline bad? Repent for sitting in God’s seat and move out of His way.

Is your discipline good? There is no cruise control on the highway to holiness. Keep moving forward.