Proverbs 5:23. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.
Proverbs 5 ends on a very serious note. The person who won’t listen or change their ways, will end up in a terrible place…maybe even in death.
Solomon isn’t trying to scare his children; he’s being a good father, warning his children about what happens when you are led astray down a path away from God and his loving path. We all know what can happen when we are led astray by dangerous friends, addictions or lifestyles. For most of us however, our lack of discipline is likely leading us down a much slower path of destruction. Over-thinking. Over-controlling. Over-working. Over-involvement. Over-indulgence.
What’s your “Over?”
Whatever it is, it likely began as an “over-desire.” An inordinate desire for something that is probably good in and of itself, but that you have allowed to take over your life. Work is a good gift, until it takes over your identity and leads you astray. Wanting what is best for your children is good, until it leads you down a path of controlling and planning your child’s every move. Planning and weighing options is good, until it paralyzes you and keeps you from taking any risks or being content with anything in the present.
The scary thing is that often our “Over” can masquerade as discipline, and actually prevent us from being led by Christ. Financial “discipline” may keep us from giving. Being a strict disciplinarian with your children may keep you from showing grace. Church discipline might make an example of someone without the heart of repentance and reconciliation that Christ demands.
These forms of discipline are also great folly.
Thankfully, God is disciplining us in Christ. Because he loves us, God will let painful and unpleasant things happen to us so that we will obey him and change our choices.
Hebrews 12:11. 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.
For those who are in Christ, the path of folly is never ignored by our heavenly Father. His painful yet productive discipline is always meant to bring us back in line with the way of Jesus, so that our lives will yield a harvest of peace and righteousness. His discipline is never merely punitive, but restorative. It is the training that every believer goes through. There is never a lack of discipline for the one who is in Christ. There is never a moment when your direction is not being reset by the Holy Spirit himself.
How can we avoid all the folly of false discipline and over-desire? By not going astray. By fixing our eyes on Christ. By looking to Jesus as our way, truth, and life. Keep your eyes on him. Follow his ways. Let him love you and let his love guide you. It will never, ever lead you astray. It will never be an “over,” for we can never trust Christ too much.
You: What is your “over-desire?” A desire for a good thing that grabs control.
You in Christ: How does your faith in your union with the love of God in Christ keep your heart from wandering?
Christ in you: What spiritual discipline can connect you to God’s grace in Christ on a regular basis?
Pray: Father, by your Spirit help me look at Jesus so that I don’t go astray. Amen.
To Live is Christ 