One Saturday morning, I slugged my way out of our bed and stepped on the scale in the bathroom. It seemed like the number unfamiliarly kept growing. I started social distancing and working from home during the coronavirus pandemic to having twins the year after. There’s no doubt I slacked on my fitness discipline and racked on the pounds.
The next thing I knew, I’d signed up for a weekly men’s fitness group. The workouts kick my butt each session, and the coach seems to lead us in ways that seem impossible until it’s done.
Just like our fitness coach, God knows the great milestones we are capable of achieving, and we can’t get there without discipline and trust in Him.
5 Scriptures on Discipline to Equip Your Fathering
1. Hebrews 12:11
“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.”
Whether it’s God disciplining us or you disciplining your kids, there is a wonderful outcome that comes from the training. Like an intense workout, we can be encouraged and know the great results ahead and persevere with passion and focus through the challenge.
2. Proverbs 25:28
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
This verse specifically looks at our temper as dads. We should manage our anger in every situation and listen to God as we guide our emotions. Let’s not be like an unprotected city without walls because our ill-disciplined responses break them down.
3. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Things get hectic as dads. It’s important to remember how we were designed by God so that we live in the freedom He’s given us. This verse reminds us that we were given the gift of self-control, not the opposite. So, let’s recalibrate our life daily with God and live out our true identity of self-control.
4. Proverbs 23:13
“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.”
Here’s another verse that encourages us to discipline our children. However, that is not a green light to abuse them. A “rod” refers to any reasonable way of discipling our kid(s) that discourages bad and encourages good. Let’s not hesitate to discipline our kids in love and obedience to Christ.
5. Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Most scriptures on discipline give us a caution sign to be careful not to discipline our children in a way that makes them bitter. Instead, we should encourage them through it, raising them up in the Lord. When our kids show good behavior instead of bad, let’s take every opportunity to let them know how proud we are of them.
Discipline Can be Very Hard
It’s not only needed for our kids – it’s needed for us as fathers and leaders. What better way can we show our kids a great example than being that great example.
Having discipline present in our life keeps us on a path of success for our hearts, mind, and most importantly, our relationship with God. Like a diet of fried foods and candy, unhealthy ways of living will always be a temptation to many dads. Because we have a Heavenly Father that cares for us, and He’s coaching us all the way through to be the great father we desire to be.
These scriptures on discipline have been mighty keys to my life, but I always have to remember that they are nothing without the coach. As we strive for discipline, let’s continue to trust in God and what He says about every matter to equip you with all you need to be a rockstar dad.
