Chastisement / Discipline and Spiritual Health

We must grow within chastisement and discipline

James 4:8-10
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

If God truly loves us, then He will ensure that we mature through chastisement (punishment) and discipline. Without the chastisement, we cannot be truly children of God! We must endure His chastisement that will allow us to strengthen ourselves and have a sharp mind, not doubled-mind as we would not be two-faced to another in real life.  

Hebrews 12:6

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Colossians 3:22-24

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

2 Timothy 2:20-22

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Our spiritual diet is also important as our physical health would be to longevity (life expectancy)

Deuteronomy 8:2-32 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.3And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

"God's Word is just as important to spiritual life as food is to physical life. Just as one must discipline himself to provide and eat physical food, so must one exercise discipline to seek and ingest spiritual food. If one will not do this, then, just as physical health will decline without adequate food, a person's inadequate spiritual diet will lead to spiritual disease. At the very least, one's quality of life will be severely compromised." (Reference taken from "Spiritual Food" by John W. Ritenbaugh)

We must be strict with how we eat for the sake of our health if living longer is our desire. This also illustrates with our spiritual health...we must consume God's Word daily that will enable us to have a strong relationship with God which is a truly Christian's lifestyle. Reading the scriptures every day will not only allow us to strongly bond with God but also helps protect ourselves from any sinful habit that we may possess eventually in life. 

1 Chronicles 22:13 KJV

"Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed."

In addition to best health, I also wish to emphasize that if you feel that you may have depression or any issue that appears to disturb your mental health, it is best advised that you seek a therapist (who is also a believer.) Your spiritual health is important to God as your physical health would be. It is the top priority that we be fully abled-bodied in every way so we can best serve the LORD. 

Ideal Church

In addition to churches worshiping the Lord, no believer should ever alienate the others within a church but always welcome with such warm compassion and kindness. Make a note to yourself that every believer's journey is constantly challenged with endless trials and tests on Earth, which is why every church should always be overfilled with such encouragement without single drop of discouragement and judgement. That's darkness - judgement and discouragement. Be sure to support each other fully.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

This will help keep the newly believers of ALL ages from losing their faith, whether a believer is old or not, especially if a longtime believer's faith is shaken. The church isn't a place to judge but support and love each other wholeheartedly. The LORD God is the one we do our best to impress with our spiritual dress shining unto Him all the time. We may make mistakes or have difficulty dealing with being hypocrite, but we must understand...we do have our own moments where we are knocked down...this is why we must be dedicated to have each other's back as brothers and sisters...

Although church attendance is important for our spiritual growth, don't consider it just one of chores but a blessing. We go there to learn God's Word then APPLY it to our daily life and share with the others. Blessings and knowledge that we inherited, are meant to be shared with everyone. Did it ever come to you that when you place your faith in the LORD and accept Jesus as a true Savior, that you immediately become a missionary who must share the truth with the others about Jesus?

Yes, it's true! It doesn't take a real missionary to go outside the country and travel but on the streets or anywhere, in your own communities. Let the others know about it.

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me...

2 Timothy 3:16–17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Your faith is the source that gives you the strength!

Hebrew 10:26

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Roman 8:13

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

James 1:15

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

These scriptures above stated that if we continue to sin, we may experience the increase of humiliation, difficulties or hardships, and regrets.

It is important that we preserve our faith through reading Bible, that way we can discipline ourselves. Although we will always fall apart from our own sin which is why God is always faithful to us because our sins are already washed away through the blood of Christ!

It gives us the opportunity to be closer to God...and our freedom is not to be used as an excuse to continue sinning, but glorify our LORD through worshipping and doing our good deeds that involve encouraging our brothers and sisters.

Hebrew 10:36

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Matthew 6:32-33

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Psalm 34:14-15

14 Depart from evil, anddo good; seek peace, and pursue it.15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, andhis ears are open unto their cry.

Psalm 37:4-5

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

1 John 3:22

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

The Greatest Commandents...

Matthew 22:35-39

35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question , tempting him, and saying,36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.


and then Jesus reminds US...


John 14:15

15If ye love me, keep my commandments.