When, how, and why does the Lord God discipline us when we sin?

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When, how, and why does the Lord God discipline us when we sin? We're going to answer that question.

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You can also discover more on GotQuestions .org. The Lord's discipline is an often ignored fact of life for believers.

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The Bible teaches that as our loving Heavenly Father, God disciplines us. His discipline is not doubtful, it is assured.

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My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the

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Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.

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God's discipline and rebuke come to everyone. His correction is, in fact, a sign of His love for His children, and we are to not lose heart when we experience it.

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Human fathers have a responsibility to train their children, and part of that training is to administer discipline.

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Just as human fathers wisely discipline their children, so does God. As we undergo God's discipline, we can rejoice in at least one fact.

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God is treating us as true children of His. Discipline is not the same as condemnation.

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God disciplines His children, but He does not condemn them. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

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Discipline has to do with training and growth. Condemnation has to do with punishment and guilt.

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When does the Lord discipline us? Part of discipline is simply guiding someone to follow certain rules or observe certain behaviors.

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Another part of discipline involves reproof to correct disobedience. Both aspects of discipline can be tough.

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The trials Job endured were not a punishment for sin, but they were training in righteousness.

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And Job emerged from his trial a better man. God's discipline begins when we are born again into His family.

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We immediately begin to learn and understand the Word of God and adjust our lives accordingly.

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This is a blessing in our lives and is more preventative than corrective. Troubled days are coming, and the

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Lord would spare us. God's discipline also comes when we sin. In such cases, the chastisement is meant to be corrective.

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David in one of his penitential psalms expresses his desire that God moderate the severity of the punishment.

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In this psalm, David admits his guilt and thus acknowledges that God's punishment is just.

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At the same time, the sharp and crushing nature of the discipline seems more than he can bear and he asks for help.

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Charles Spurgeon's note on Psalm 38 includes a paraphrase of David's appeal, which can be found in our article in the link below.

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How does God discipline us? God can and does use various methods of discipline. He may use trouble at work, hardship at home, or travail in the ministry.

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Paul had many difficulties in life. God may allow us to experience loss, as David did, sin, physical ailments, or even death as the church of Corinth learned.

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Often, God will simply allow the natural consequences of our sin to run their course.

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We are forgiven, but we are corrected so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

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Why does God discipline us? He is a good father who wants what's best for his children.

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Humanly speaking, no child will reach his or her full potential without training and discipline. The virtuoso violinist would never have reached the concert hall without discipline.

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The record -setting athlete would never have excelled in any sport without discipline. God disciplines his children because he loves them, to make them more mature, to increase their capacity for virtue, to keep them on the right path, to grow their faith, and to purify them from sin.

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The result of God's discipline is holiness and maturity. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

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Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

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The Lord continues to work with us as a potter does the clay, and his discipline is for our good and his glory.

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That answers the question, when, how, and why does the Lord God discipline us when we sin?

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On our website, GotQuestions .org, you'll find a deeper discussion and recommended resources. If this helped you, give us a thumbs up and click subscribe.