Proverbs 29 Devotional Study

Why you should welcome discipline at any age

Childhood meant dealing with many “good” things that seemed devised to make us suffer.

Were we really supposed to believe there was a good reason for checkups, vaccines and terrible tasting cough syrup? Why couldn’t mom just relax a little? Everyone else was wearing those shirts. And what was the big deal with sharing? It just seemed unnatural.

Discipline often frustrated us. But as we grew, we saw how wrong our perspective was — or did we?

“Discipline” comes from a Latin word meaning “pupil.” Discipline is about learning a way of behavior, a way to live. We may think only children need discipline, but Proverbs 29 reminds us about the importance of discipline, no matter how old we are.

3 Reasons to Welcome Discipline

1. Discipline is a blessing.

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” Discipline seems to hold us back. Our natural tendency is toward what we want. But when we receive Godly instruction, we are blessed. It’s in following Jesus we can enjoy lives free of guilt and sin’s burden.

2. Discipline brings joy.

Discipline hurts at first. We don’t want to face our failures or admit we have room to grow, but temporary discomfort leads to lasting joy. Proverbs 29:6 teaches, “Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.” Getting out of the snare hurts, but there is joy in the healing.

3. Pride gets in the way.

When we experience correction or conviction, we tend to pretend we’re OK the way we are. Proverbs 29:23 reminds us, “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.” And earlier in the chapter, Proverbs 29:1 states, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.” Resisting discipline because of pride puts us in danger. We have to humble ourselves to allow discipline to change us.

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Reflect:
Proverbs 29:1	He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Proverbs 29:2	When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Proverbs 29:3	Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
Proverbs 29:4	The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Proverbs 29:5	A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
Proverbs 29:6	In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
Proverbs 29:7	The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
Proverbs 29:8	Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
Proverbs 29:9	If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
Proverbs 29:10	The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
Proverbs 29:11	A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Proverbs 29:12	If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
Proverbs 29:13	The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
Proverbs 29:14	The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
Proverbs 29:15	The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Proverbs 29:16	When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
Proverbs 29:17	Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Proverbs 29:18	Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Proverbs 29:19	A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
Proverbs 29:20	Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Proverbs 29:21	He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
Proverbs 29:22	An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
Proverbs 29:23	A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Proverbs 29:24	Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
Proverbs 29:25	The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Proverbs 29:26	Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
Proverbs 29:27	An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

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