What is the difference between discipline and punishment?
Punishment and discipline are not the same thing. Punishment is retribution for sin—and Jesus Christ bore all of ours on the cross, so God never punishes His children. Discipline is corrective; when we get out of line, God disciplines us for the single purpose of getting us back into fellowship and into the place of blessing. Even when it is severe—a scourging that is extremely painful—it is always carried out in love, because His intention is never to punish us but to restore us.
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Source: The Basics The Basics, Unit 3, Lesson 3-2 - The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion (Review q9) · Read this lesson in the book →
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Related questions
- What is the purpose of God’s discipline?Hebrews 12:5-11 · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
- What are the three stages of God’s discipline?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
- What does the Bible teach about carnality in the Christian life?Ephesians 4:17-19 · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about the soul, including its strengths and weaknesses, and how it relates to spiritual warfare and the filling of the Holy Spirit?Ephesians 4:17-19 · The Basics
- How can we live the Christian life and apply the Word of God to our daily lives?Ephesians 4:17-19 · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about God's discipline of His children?Hebrews 12:5-11 · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
See also
- What is spiritual retreat/reversion?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
- What are the seven steps of reversion?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
- What are the seven steps from spiritual retreat to recovery?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
- Describe the sin of Ahithophel and its results.Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
- Were the adultery and murder committed by David any less serious than the sins of Ahithophel? Why did God’s treatment of the two men differ?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
- How could Hushai remain loyal to David? Where did he learn this kind of loyalty?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
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