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As controversial as it seems today, discipline is a pretty straightforward topic in the Bible. The Bible portrays God himself as a father who disciplines or chastises his people, Israel. Whenever they stray away from the path He ordained for them, they encounter punishments to help them remember God.

Isn’t discipline hurtful? Yes, of course! How would a child remember that he has done something wrong if the punishment isn’t painful? “But I love my children. I don’t want to hurt them.” If we read and understand what the Bible teaches, discipline is a sign of love, not hate. Those who really want their children to be corrected and trained will not spare the rod.

On the other hand, we children of God may also be subject to discipline if we veer too far away from His plan. But we should not worry because that just means God loves us.