Does our heavenly Father chasten us?

One of the questions we hear frequently concerns the idea of chastisement or discipline. Should we understand sickness, tragedy and the loss of jobs or loved ones as the work of God for our good?

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Hebrews 12:6

The words chastise, chasten and chastisement mean to train, instruct, educate, teach and discipline. Paideia is the Greek word for ‘nurture’ and the reference Scripture is Ephesians 6:4. Paideia is also the word that gives us ‘chastening’ in Hebrews 12:5,7, and ‘instruction’ in 2 Timothy 3:16,

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:16

Instruction is the same word. Therefore, the biblical concept of chastening refers to the instruction, nurture and admonition of the Lord by means of His Word.

While God’s correction included physical punishment (curses) under the Old Covenant, His correction under the New Covenant is by means of the Word.

that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works

2 Tim. 3:17

Chastisement is often misunderstood because of our wrong concepts of God. When we study Hebrews Chapter 12 in its context, we see that the author of Hebrews is not talking about God sending bad things our way, but rather exhorting, correcting and instructing the readers to resist temptation and not ignore, or think little of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:4, 14).

The chastening of the Lord is the exhortation to resist temptation and is similar to a child being disciplined by his father. When we resist temptation, it is often a struggle. The un-renewed mind wants one thing; the spirit wants another. Resisting temptation is not pleasant but will yield fruit.

But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Hebrews 12:8

Again, the word chastisement refers to the instruction, correction, discipline and nurturing of the Word of God. Those who do not heed the Word and do not resist temptation are not like sons. Sons endure a father’s chastening; bastards do not, since they don’t have a relationship with their father.