Does God discipline us? Why, when, and how does the Lord discipline His children?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible teaches that God disciplines believers because He loves us (Proverbs 3:11-12; Revelation 3:19). His discipline shapes us into His image and sanctifies us. While discipline can be painful, it is always for our good, training us to grow in holiness and prepare for His presence (Psalm 94:12-13; Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 1:15-16). At the same time, not all suffering is a result of personal sin, as biblical examples like Joseph, Job, and the apostle Paul demonstrate. Still, God's discipline is often used to refine our faith, strengthen our character, and bring glory to Him (Hebrews 12:10-11; James 1:2-4). The Bible assures us that God's discipline is not punishment but rather a demonstration of His love and desire for our transformation. Ultimately, God's discipline confirms our identity as His children and leads us to righteousness.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament testifies to innocent people suffering, not as a result of their own sin, but due to other circumstances. Joseph, for example, suffered because of his brothers (and others). However, God used Joseph's hardships for good purposes. In Genesis 50:20, he tells his brothers: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
• Jesus Christ took all the punishment we deserve for our sins on Himself when He died on Calvary's cross; we do not need to work for our salvation (Isaiah 53:5). However, God still disciplines us for other reasons.
• Sometimes suffering is not a result of our sin, but because we live in a fallen world. God can allow pain into our lives so that we grow in Him. Throughout the book of Job, Job's friends believed that because he was suffering, he must have committed some secret sin (Job 4:7-8). However, this was not the case. God recommended Job because of His uprightness (Job 1:8). In Job 1:21, Job blesses God despite his loss and suffering: "Naked I came from my mother 's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
• Discipline can be a blessing: “Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked” (Psalm 94:12-13).
• Though it may be challenging , we should not hate the Lord’s discipline but rather see the good in it: “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11-12).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In John 9:2- 3, Jesus’ disciples assume that a man is born blind because of sin; however, He corrects them: “And his disciples asked him, ’Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’”
• Romans 5:8 says, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” At times, we may think God’s immense love for us is at odds with His discipline, but it’s not.
• Although God disciplines His children, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1).
• God's discipline is not punishment because Jesus already bore our punishment. Nor is it motivated by a desire to inflict pain or unleash anger. Unlike earthly fathers, God does not lose His temper, treat us unfairly, or allow us to suffer anything that is not for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28- 30).
• God's discipline is not only for our good, but it also results in His glory. As God causes us to grow in holiness, His grace is revealed in us, and He is glorified. God, by the gracious operation of His Spirit, not only washes away our sins but empowers us to grow in holiness (1 Corinthians 15:10).
• Discipline is not merely corrective; it also involves training (1 Timothy 4:8).
• God’s grace that brings salvation results in us being trained to do good works. Titus 2:11- 14 says, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
• In Hebrews 12:5- 11 we are reminded of our identity in our Heavenly Father as His sons and daughters and His purpose for disciplining us. Verses 5-9 make it clear that God disciplines us because He loves us. Similar to our earthly fathers, we should respect God as obedient children honoring their authority (verse 10). Lastly, verse 11 explains God’s reasoning behind allowing us to experience the pain of discipline: “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
• Just as an athlete disciplines his or her body through physical training in order to prepare it for competition, God disciplines us by training our souls to make us holy and preparing us to be in His presence (Hebrews 12:14).
• It is a dangerous practice to consider every affliction to be the direct result of a specific sin. James 1:2- 4 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
• When suffering comes, it is wise to examine ourselves and to repent of any known sins. James 5:16a counsels, "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed."

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

In our daily lives, we may experience God’s discipline in ways that challenge us, but ultimately, it is meant to shape us and make us more like Him. For example, when facing difficult situations like job loss or relational struggles, we might initially question if we've done something wrong. However, much like Joseph's journey, where betrayal and hardship led to a greater purpose, we can trust that God uses our trials for good (Genesis 50:20). Similarly, when we go through suffering, as Job did, we may not always understand why it’s happening, but we can choose to trust God's sovereignty, knowing that He is refining our faith (Job 1:21). In these moments, remember that God's discipline isn’t about punishment; rather, it is an expression of His love, designed to grow us in holiness, character, and spiritual maturity.

Real-life examples might include moments of struggle where God teaches us patience, reliance on Him, or repentance—like a period of emotional or financial difficulty where we realize the need for deeper trust in God. Instead of seeing discipline as a form of condemnation, we should recognize it as God’s way of preparing us for greater spiritual fruit and intimacy with Him, bringing us closer to His perfect plan for our lives. In this sense, discipline confirms our identity as the Lord’s children. Even when the process is uncomfortable, we can find peace in knowing that God’s discipline ultimately leads to our good, His glory, and our transformation into the likeness of Christ.

UNDERSTAND

• God disciplines His children.
• God’s discipline is not meant to punish us but to sanctify us.
• God’s discipline leads to our good, His glory, and our transformation into Christ’s likeness.

REFLECT

• How have you experienced God's discipline in your life, and how did it lead to growth in your character or faith?
• Reflecting on your own suffering, do you find it difficult to see God's purpose in it? How can you trust in His sovereignty during times of trial?
• How does understanding that God’s discipline is an expression of His love change your perspective on your current struggles or challenges?

ENGAGE

• How can we distinguish between suffering caused by our own sin and suffering allowed by God for our growth?
• What are some practical ways we can respond to God’s discipline with a heart of gratitude rather than resentment?
• How can we support others who are going through difficult circumstances, helping them understand God’s purpose in their suffering?