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Punishment and Discipline



There have been times where I have heard someone, in some form of frustration, cry out “why is God punishing me?” Although these times come forth from a myriad of issues and trials, I think the true reason behind what is going on is still the same: God is not punishing us, but educating and training us.

There is a good chance that God may be using and allowing our circumstances as a way to discipline and correct us. God loves us and will not allow things in our life that prevent us from excelling and completing His will for our lives.

Hebrews 12:6-11, says, “For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.”

It is very important to understand the difference between “punishment” and “discipline” as a person of faith. If we don’t, I fear that when “things happen” in our life, we are more vulnerable to the Devil’s mastery of making us think God is unmerciful, cruel and actually “punishing” us.

Let us see the difference:

-       Punishment is punitive and is intended to make the offender repay any debt they have incurred.
-       Discipline is corrective measures to change negative behavior.
-       Punishment makes you pay for what is done in the past, but discipline helps us to keep from making the same mistakes again in the future.
-       Punishment is about condemnation where discipline is about correction.
-       Punishment is about making the situation right where discipline is about helping the person get right.

Discipline is much like a medication that helps us to get well. Discipline is healing because it is steeped in patience with the willingness to work over time to restore a person and to repair what was broken. Discipline is a sign of love because it is a fulfillment of 1 Corinthians 13:8, that “love never fails.”

Discipline is always for our good. Yes, it may still “feel” like it is punishment at the time, but when we are willing to receive God’s true intentions for our situation, our lives will change for the better and we will always be better for it. As Job 5:17 tells us, “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”


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