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Godly Chastening (Punishment)

            How very few there are that accept even the concept of this! God has dealt with me strongly through rebuke, and it is easily found all throughout His Word. Anyone who claims it is only an “Old Testament” teaching is repeating a Satanic lie, and denying Christ (the Word of God see John 1).

            Not only does God say He rebukes, but instructs us to also. Mankind was created in God’s image, and we are to be like Him in every way:  Jesus Christ actually living among us, becoming an example in every way (Hebrews 2:17)

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Hebrews 12:5-11

            This scripture is a strong foundation for the principle of Godly chastening. Many dispensationalists write off most of Hebrews, and deny that it applies to present day believers. The Word of God does not say this:  and as you will see, Godly chastening is pronounced from the beginning of the Bible to it’s end.

            In this passage, verses 7 and 8 are of particular interest. We are told that if we endure God’s chastening, He is dealing with us as His children. Yet if we are without it, then “…are ye bastards…” These verses frighten me, with Godly fear. We have a choice whether or not to accept this divine punishment. When illness, misfortune, or disaster occur, it is never even preached as a possibility that we are being dealt with by God!

            Occasionally this topic will come up for my wife and I with an acquaintance. We do not hear “amen”, but rather “no way.” “God wouldn’t do that.” By denying this principle, they are rejecting God as their Heavenly Father. A continued pattern of this will surely separate a person from God eternally. Any crisis today is not viewed as a spiritual struggle, but something “natural” or “scientific.” More on discerning a crisis in a little bit. God’s Word is my authority, so let me show you how and why this principle is true.

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Deuteronomy 8:5

I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: II Samuel 7:14

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:  For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. Job 5:17,18

I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Psalms 119:75

You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Amos 3:2

            You don’t discipline your children? (Boy, I hope you do!) God does—He actually scourges every son He receives! (Hebrews 12:6)

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Luke 17:3

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. I Corinthians 11:32

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16,17

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. II Timothy 4:2

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:19

            This last verse are the words of Jesus directly—and He rebuked all but one of those churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Here are more scriptures for your review:  Genesis 3; Leviticus 26:28; Exodus 17:7; Joshua 23:15,16; Job 13:10, Psalms 18:5, 76:6; 94:12, 118:18, 119:71, 141:5; Isaiah 26:16, 65:11, 12, 66:4; Jeremiah 2:19, 8:7, 40:2,3; Hosea 10:10, Jonah 2  Now take a look at the vast resource in Proverbs! In I Kings 3:12, God said He gave Solomon more wisdom than any one in history (and the words were God’s!) Proverbs 1:28-31, 3:11,12, 6:23, 10:17, 12:1, 13:18,24, 15:10,32, 17:10, 19:18, 22:15, 27:5, 28:23, 29:15  Now in the New Testament, Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33, Ephesians 5:11, I Timothy 5:20, Titus 3:10. As you can see, this principle holds fast throughout God’s Word! Yes, the Old Testament has more references, but it is far larger than the New Testament and covers many times more years.

            So how can you know if you are being chastened/directed by God, or if it is Satan? The answer isn’t always obvious. It is probably as unique as each person. But believer’s in Christ are to walk by faith, so let us go to the Lord in examining our hearts.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink [this] cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. I Corinthians 11:26-32

            Illness is no doubt a very big way God can chasten or direct His people. Yes, I have experienced it quite often. This scripture is the primary one used in relation to communion. Are you admonished to examine yourselves? Are you told it is a main source of illness in the body of Christ? People are often encouraged to be prayed for when sick; but are they being challenged? Does anyone tell them to pray over why they have become ill? Here are some possible reasons:  1) Punishment for sin 2) Dynamic Healing (God’s glory) 3) Redirect our ministry 4) To stay humble 5) To be a witness to medical personnel 6) A move to pray in a certain direction.

            Ultimately, the entire world is dying because of sin. Apart from sin and Satan, illness and death would not be here. It is not correct to categorically put every disease under the “punishment for sin” label.

            If you do hard physical work, you are liable to pull a muscle, hurt your back, etc. Chances are it is a natural result of your work. Yet do examine things spiritually—if there is something unique or unexpected about your injury, God may be trying to reach you. He could be trying to show you something.

            John chapter 9 is a wonderful story about the healing of a blind man. In verses 1, 2 and 3 we find:

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. John 9:1,2

            Clearly God had a plan for this lifelong blind man! Sin punishment was not the issue.

            Now let’s read John 5:14

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. John 5:14 

Jesus is letting us know here that sin does bring illness. Not every circumstance is the same all the time. We can see here the wisdom God gave Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9:11,12

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. Ecclesiastes 9:11,12

            When I am trying to find out, there are some scriptures I use to rely on. Hopefully they can help you, too.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. I Corinthians 14:33

            If there is much confusion, or hectic decision-making called for, it isn’t the Lord. When you need time to confirm a spirit-led move, you will have it.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

            I have personally relied on this verse for over three decades. God never fails!

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:17,18

            This is a kind of spiritual “fruit” examining method. The first two …”is first pure, then peaceable,”… are usually all I need. It shouldn’t be hard to tell if motives and methods are pure. Peace naturally follows!

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. I John 3:19-22

            This scripture lines up with the adjective “Peaceable” in the previous passage. Walk closely with Jesus every day, doing your best to study and follow God’s Word. Commit your life to Him daily (Luke 9:23), and you will be guided by the Holy Spirit from within.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

            No matter what the issue, no matter how big or small, follow the directions here. As Christ’s disciples, He is our life source and strength. Doing this, you will often find that surprising peace in the most trying of situations!

            Two more things are very important. First, if possible, ask other believers to pray for you. Prayer strength is greatly multiplied when two or more unite for the same purpose. (Matthew 18:19,20)

            Secondly, but most importantly, follow the Word of God. You can often find direct applications from the Word. Any guidance you receive must also not violate God’s Word.

            Growing in the Lord is a lifelong process. God is faithful and patient with us right up to the end!

            …”for he hat said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5b & 6