This week’s discussion is on discipline and punishment. What’s the difference?
Let’s start with motive:
Love is the motivation behind discipline:
Proverbs 3:12 (NET)
For the Lord disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.
Loving discipline may involve punishment. But not all punishment is motivated by love.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Punishment motivated by anger is foolishness.
