How to Discipline Your Child

Discipline is very indispensable. Discipline is training or control, often using a system of punishment that yields obedience, that is, to a set pattern or set of rules. Discipline is the controlled, ordered conduct ensuing from particular training. Here is a sentence, which is an example of discipline. ‘The soldiers showed impeccable discipline in battle’. This sentence means that in battle the soldiers demonstrated significant self-control, order and conformity to the rules of battle etc, which must have been a result of forceful but beneficial treatment/training. The whole essence of discipline is to keep order and adherence to the set rules for conduct. Without discipline, there is chaos (disorder, turmoil, confusion or disarray etc). Undisciplined people like to laze around and find irresistible inappropriate sleep (Proverbs 20:13, Proverbs 19:15) or unprofitable comfort.  Discipline is a vital key to fulfilling one’s goal(s). Discipline is hard work, entails some commitment and is not a sweet pie. It is exceedingly valuable.

I implore you to be disciplined. People who are disciplined tend to be in control of them selves, their time and even other people. When you are in control of self, you are able to limit order and regulate your behaviour, including the way you conduct your work. If you set yourself time to wake up and study or pray, you need to train yourself to obey that rule. Being self controlled means that you will order or instruct your self to follow that particular setting. Be able to order yourself to diligently study regardless of circumstances. Do not allow circumstances to dictate your life. More often than not, your flesh will be weak and reluctant to fulfil serious life objectives or any other goal that establishes you as a successful individual. For example, take prayer and fasting i.e. abstaining from food for religious purposes. These are awesome acts that the flesh would adamantly oppose though quite beneficial to one’s spiritual life. However, discipline will enable your body to obey your willing spirit. Learn to be self-disciplined.

A story is told of Christopher Parkening, a distinguished classical guitarist who by the age of 30 had become a master of his instrument. However, that mastery did not come cheaply and effortlessly. Christopher spent several hours a day practicing the guitar whilst other children played around. You see that was some kind of punishment. Rather than enjoy playing around, as the body likes to do, he was confined to something that for that moment did not seem beneficial.  Such self-disciplined commitment produced a proficiency that few can equal. I have heard it said that if you do something whether bad or good, consistently (again and again) for 21 days, it becomes part of you-a habit. God has made you in such a way that you can do all things if you purpose in heart and put your mind to it. Nothing would be impossible to him that believes. Many people lack the practice of consistency. Their lives are littered with many unfinished (uncompleted) projects. They easily give up as soon as the going gets tough and when short-term benefits are not forth coming.

We cannot talk about discipline without reference to obedience or self-control because these are what embody the whole act of discipline. In fact in the bible, obedience sums up self- discipline. To be self-disciplined is to stay within the limits or confines of God’s law by avoiding evil. To be a disciplined person requires that you are self-controlled. Self-control is not something you pray for. You already have it because God has before now given it to you and all you need is to activate it by assertion and practice (2 Timothy 1:7 & 1 Peter 5:8). You have to declare by word of mouth that, you possess the spirit of self-control and make an effort to live accordingly. Do not ignore discipline because by doing so, you are simply despising yourself (Proverbs 15:32). In fact to ignore discipline is to come to poverty and shame (Proverbs 13:18). Despising oneself is regarding oneself as worthless. If you despise yourself, it means that you dislike (can’t stand) yourself so much that you think it not worthy to enjoy anything good. How can you work for personal success or well being if you scorn yourself? We are all valuable, but our value becomes nothing due to indiscipline or a lack of it. 

Success comes to those who are self disciplined, to those who exercise self-control and embrace obedience.  Learn to control your conduct by means of rules and restrictions based on principle and sound judgement rather than by mere impulse or the cravings of life. Do not just do what your friends are doing without regard to the consequences. Think before acting. A person who has no rule over his life or lacks self-control is like a house whose walls are broken down. A wall is important in that it acts as a boundary or barrier dividing or also enclosing something. In other words, it acts as a defence and gives a limit as to how far one can go. It defends against unnecessary intrusions. Without self-control, you are defenceless, are at anyone’s command and liable to dance to anyone’s tune anytime anyhow. As a result of it, Satan is rewarded the freedom to tempt you knowing that you will with no trouble give in to the temptation (1corinthians 7:5). It means you lack the firmness to obey the revealed yardstick to your conduct, in any circumstance, set by the word of God or by yourself in line with the word of God. People who are disciplined have the ability to focus on their goals, and consistently stay within their priorities. Young men and women especially are encouraged to be self-controlled (Titus 2:6) because they are strong and as well vulnerable. Learn to occasionally deny yourself certain deeds such as sleep, play etc   and commit to study or fulfilment of a particular significant objective. This may appear, as punishment but it comes with considerable benefits. Willingness to do something is quite a good thing. But without discipline (self-control or obedience) it can be very devastating.

Many people have an enviable willingness to do things. This willingness however, must be combined with discipline. That is why the bible says that if you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land (Isaiah 1:18). Discipline bears endurance. If you are disciplined, you will endure difficulties especially those that tend to come between you and your goal. Jesus endured insults and beatings not only because he was focused on the ultimate goal and glory ahead of him, but also because he was disciplined. When you train yourself to remain calm and controlled under fire, it means you will develop the courage and peace not to retaliate (react with insolence and vengeance). Rather you will respond with gentleness. You will not insult back when insulted. Jesus is our example (1 Peter 2: 22- ). Discipline brings peace and delight to the soul (Proverbs 29:17) and in it there is hope (optimism). Never disregard discipline in your life lest you come to failure. Do not overlook this important component of success lest you come to poverty and shame (Proverbs 13:18). Train yourself to obey, to control self, to do or not to do certain things, because you may die for lack of discipline (Proverbs 5:23). God bless you as you exercise discipline for with it comes progress.

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