To be chastened means to be disciplined or corrected, often by God. The Bible has a lot to say about being chastened and how it can lead to growth and sanctification in the life of a believer. Here is an overview of the key biblical themes around being chastened:
Chastening is an Act of God’s Love
The Bible makes clear that when God chastens His children, He does it out of love, not anger or punishment. Hebrews 12:6 says “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Chastening flows from God’s love for His children and His desire to shape them into Christlikeness. Though painful, it expresses God’s fatherly heart toward His children.
Chastening Produces Holiness and Righteousness
A key purpose of God’s chastening is to produce the fruits of holiness and righteousness in the lives of His children. Hebrews 12:10-11 explains: “For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 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.” Chastening, though often painful, bears good fruit when received rightly.
Chastening is Better than Worldly Suffering
The book of 1 Corinthians makes an interesting point – chastening from God is far better than the normal sufferings believers will face in the world. 1 Corinthians 11:32 notes “But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” Though the world’s sufferings are meaningless, chastening from God has purpose and meaning for our sanctification.
Chastening is for our Benefit
Chastening may be difficult, but the Bible emphasizes it is intentionally designed by God for our benefit. As Lamentations 3:31-33 explains: “For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.” God does not chasten arbitrarily or viciously. He does it for our good.
We Should Accept Chastening
Since chastening flows from God’s good purposes and loving hands, the Bible calls believers to accept it and learn from it. Hebrews 12:7 says “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” We can endure chastening because we know God is treating us as His beloved children.
Chastening Produces Peaceable Fruit
Chastening is difficult in the moment, but it produces good fruit in the long run. As Hebrews 12:11 notes, “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.” The fruits of righteousness and peace far outweigh temporary sorrow or pain.
Chastening Leads us to Rely on Grace
One of the paradoxical effects of chastening is that it leads us to greater dependence on God’s grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 offers insight: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Though weakness and discipline are hard, they deepen reliance on grace.
Do Not Despise or Lose Heart from Chastening
Since chastening is purposeful, the Bible warns against despising it or losing heart. Hebrews 12:5 states “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.” Believers should not fight against what God is doing or grow weary of the refining process.
Chastening Brings Life and Righteousness
Ultimately, God’s loving chastening brings life and restoration to believers. As Psalm 118:18 declares: “The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.” Discipline leads away from death and toward fullness of life in Christ.
Examples of Chastening in the Bible
The Bible contains many stories of God chastening His people or spiritual leaders for their benefit:
– David – God disciplines David after his adultery through turmoil in his family (2 Samuel 12:11-14). But this chastening leads David to repentance.
– Israel – God allows Israel to be overrun and exiled due to their sin. But He promises future restoration (Jeremiah 30:11).
– Ananias and Sapphira – Their deception brings swift discipline, spurring the early church to holiness (Acts 5:1-11).
– Paul’s Thorn – Paul receives a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him dependent on grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
God tailors His chastening to each situation, but always infuses it with love and wisdom for our sanctification. Chastening is hard, but yielding to it allows it to produce good fruit in our lives.
How Should We Respond to Chastening?
When experiencing chastening from God, here are some biblical ways to respond:
– Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand (1 Peter 5:6). Don’t fight against Him.
– Examine your life for any sin that needs confessing and repenting of (Psalm 139:23-24).
– Submit patiently and trust God’s heart and timing (James 4:7-10).
– Draw near to God in dependence and prayer (Hebrews 4:16).
– Determine to live differently going forward with God’s help (Romans 12:1-2).
– Thank God for His loving discipline toward you as a child (Hebrews 12:5-6).
– Look expectantly for the fruits of righteousness and peace (Hebrews 12:11).
– Rely on the sufficient grace of Christ in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
– Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7).
Proper response to God’s chastening produces growth and maturity. We can receive it as from a loving Father who wants to share His holiness with us.
Trusting God’s Good Plans in Chastening
Chastening requires deeply trusting God’s good plans and purposes, even when we can’t always understand. As Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
God sees the full picture and lovingly orchestrates all things – including chastening – for our sanctification. Living with this mindset allows believers to yield properly to God’s disciplines.
Chastening and the Cross
Ultimately, God’s loving chastening derives its meaning and efficacy from Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Isaiah 53:5 declares of Jesus “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” The chastisement Christ bore removes the eternal consequence of sin for believers, allowing God’s temporal chastening to have a restorative effect. The cross gives chastening hope and purpose.
Conclusion
In summary, God chastens those He loves because He wants to mold them into the image of Christ for their benefit and His glory. Though painful, embracing chastening with humility, patience and hope allows it to produce spiritual fruits of righteousness and peace in the lives of believers. Under the shadow of the cross, we can trust God’s good heart even in seasons of discipline. Rather than fighting chastening, believers can submit to it, knowing that in God’s wise and loving hands it will bear good fruit.