Heed The Watchmen

Godly Chastening Revisited

            The subject of Godly chastening is not a pleasant one to consider, and is usually avoided among professing believers. It is a topic that has been an integral part of my relationship with the Lord—by direct experience.

            Many simply deny that God chastens His children. Those that do are also indirectly denying Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:33); for Jesus is the Word incarnated (John 1:14; Revelation 19:13). And the Word of God is filled with the truth of Godly chastening. Even my own experiences, or my perception of those experiences, must be scrutinized against the Biblical words of truth which God has preserved for us.

            When I have shared my own experiences of chastening, or have suggested to others that the Lord may be working that way in their lives, a response often heard is, “God wouldn’t do that!” Also, “God wouldn’t do that to me.” If chastening of the Lord is such a pronounced Bible concept, how can God’s children deny it? What reasoning has been used? Alas, I have never extensively asked why these people think in such a way. If I had, it would still have only represented a small part of the whole. Yet by the gift of discernment, wisdom from God, and a sound mind, I believe in faith to at least partially understand…

            With certainty, uncomfortable topics are largely avoided in today’s churches. I know of one pastor who openly admits “tailoring” his messages to not offend specific persons in the congregation. No doubt he has believed Satan’s lies; that it is a good thing not to offend. He doesn’t realize that he has been chosen by those having “itching ears,” prophesied of in II Timothy 4:3.

            Another reason for not accepting Godly chastening is from the removal of God’s Word as the believers’ authority. Popular psychology is often used for standard teaching, with scripture verses then added to make it seem right. But it is psychology first, the Bible second.

            Also, the corrupt new “versions” of God’s Word often alter passages about chastening, greatly diminishing their value and intensity. So even when a reader does come across such verses, there is little if any impact on their lives.

            Yet perhaps the most reasonable sounding argument against Godly chastening is that Jesus Christ died for our sins; and only He can atone for them. The thought then being, that those who argue for Godly chastening, are saying that it is made to atone for the sin(s) of that individual.

            It is true that only Christ’s perfect blood can atone for sin. As we look into the Bible’s teachings about chastening, it will be clear that it is not to atone for one’s own sin! There are numerous reasons why the Lord may chasten us. If that chastening is specifically over sin, it is because God hates sin, and needs us to repent.

            Before going into the possible reasons for God’s chastening, let’s look into God’s Word to establish it as a fact in the true believer’s life. The following scriptures are listed in Biblical sequence, not in order of preference.

And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins…And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. Leviticus 26:21…23,24

If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land. Leviticus 26:40-42

            This chapter is plainly telling us that when we fall back into sin, God will continue to punish us until we repent. It is important to see that we have walked contrary to Him, and so we were chastened. Most people today see their afflictions as scientifically explicable, with no spiritual meaning. What hope have they for eternity? Yet when His people do turn back to Him, God will bless once again!

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Deuteronomy 8:5

            Our Heavenly Father loves His children. He knows that His chastening is very rough at times, but is here reminding us of His love throughout all of it.

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. Job 5:17,18

            Job knew chastening! He here readily acknowledges God’s hand in afflicting, and healing. We should be happy when God corrects us (I need some work on that!).

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Psalms 119:71

            If everything is going well, how do we learn? Many deeper truths of the Word are revealed as a result of chastening. Affliction is a great motivator for strengthening your prayer life!

For the LORD will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth. To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High, To subvert a man in his cause, the LORD approveth not. Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good? Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Lamentations 3:31-40

            God promises us compassion, and mercy. We are told here that the Lord really doesn’t want to move against us, but sin may cause Him to.

You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Amos 3:2

            When someone else’s children misbehave, it may frustrate you—but punishment belongs to the parents. It is because of this “special” relationship with our Father that we sometimes are chastened by Him. I thank God that I am!

I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:9…18,19

            It is good to patiently bear up under troubling circumstances. Our own sins can really hurt us, and sometimes the consequences of those sins last long after we have repented. But God does forgive; He will have mercy on His remnant.

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. I Corinthians 11:31,32

            Oh, how true—we would always let ourselves “get away with it!” But if you know Christ, you belong to Him. The world which is unsaved will be judged before the great white throne, and their future is eternal damnation (Revelation 20:10-15). True believers are chastened by the Lord in the present, so that we may repent while there is still time.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. II Corinthians 12:7-10

            These are familiar verses to most of us. The Lord is here chastening Paul; in order to keep him humble, and to learn greater dependence on Himself (God).

Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I Timothy 5:20

            Not only does God rebuke, but so should we! And yes, Jesus also confirms it in places like Luke 17:3.

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:5-8

            We are again told of the Lord’s love of His children through rebuking/chastening. It also shows that if we reject God’s chastening, we are not His sons! This should indicate how seriously we must treat the topic of God’s chastening.

            Did you know that Jesus was scourged (Mark 15:15) on the day of His execution? 39 lashes were given to Him, using a leather whip which had fragments of bone and metal embedded into it. This passage in Hebrews relates this punishment to all of God’s children. I would take it not to be literal, but a solemn comparison to the severe chastening we will endure (see II Timothy 3:12).

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:19

            Jesus Christ, my savior, loves me. Therefore His chastening of me is a confirmation of this wonderful fact! Thank you, Lord, for your love toward me!

            There are many other scriptures concerned with rebuke or chastening, which you may look up in your own study! The book of Proverbs has much on the subject.

            Now we will take a look at some possible reasons for God’s chastening; there may be others. Though the term chastening is often taken to mean punishment, it can also mean to be corrected or purified. When you are ailing physically, it certainly feels like a punishment. But correcting, or purifying, show that chastening by God is simply His way of helping us “grow up” spiritually. Much in this section has to do with physical infirmities, which are a key way that God will chasten. Yet you may want to read our Healing from God section for a more well-rounded look at sickness. The following possible reasons are not in order of probability.

Sin: John 5:14 indicates that sin can bring about physical infirmity, and even more so in God’s children. God is holy, and we are to be holy, as well. This is why chastening would occur in our lives over sin; not for atonement, because the Lord takes care of that after we repent (see I John 1:9, 2:1,2). The child of God is being made aware of their sin when chastened, as they no doubt were in ignorance of it beforehand.

Consequences: After repentance, there may still be consequences to deal with. The Lord may not immediately remove them! Galatians 6:7 tells us that as we sow, so shall we reap. God will remove these “aftershocks” at some point, but every part of His Word is true.

Physical direction: How will you know when the Lord wants you to “get up and go”? We tend to get comfortable—and like it! In Acts 11:19-21, persecution is seen to bring a widespread outreach of the gospel. Some might argue that this is not Godly chastening; yet the Word tells us that God is ultimately in control of all things, and will work them to our good (Romans 8:28).

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Isaiah 45:7

Glorifying God: We see an example of this in John 9:1-3. This man had been blind his whole life, just to show forth the power of God. His testimony throughout this chapter has blessed me greatly. Also in Acts 28, the shipwreck of Paul wound up leading many islanders to salvation. Leave it to the Lord, for his working is marvelous!

Witnessing: Even physicians and nurses need salvation, so an illness may lead to a witness with them. It could also bring a relative near that you hadn’t seen in quite a while. In Acts 16:23-34, Paul and Silas were greatly persecuted for their witness, and jailed. This chastening for them was ultimately responsible for the conversion of the prison keeper and his family.

Prayer direction: Nothing gets you praying faster than affliction. For myself, the Lord is sought more and more diligently during these times. The Lord will do nothing without our prayers—He has chosen to work that way. Therefore, God directs us toward prayer by various means. Isaiah 65:24 tells us that God will sometimes answer us before we pray. How could He do that? Because He knows what will move us to pray in the way He desires. It is so important to God, that His own Holy Spirit actually prays for us (Romans 8:26,27)!

Teaching/refining: Job understood what a trial of faith is, and reflects this in Job 23:10. God makes it clear that Job hasn’t done anything wrong, to bring about this suffering (Job 2:3). Each of us has much to overcome in our battle with the flesh; this included even the righteous man Job (Job 42:5).

Protection: Could a car breakdown be good news? What about a bad head-cold? I have no Biblical example for this, but God wants to protect His children. Could disaster have struck, if you had gone about your day normally? We will not know in this life, everything our Lord has saved us from.

Dependence: The weaker we are, the more we must lean on the Lord by faith. This relationship of dependence is important to God, so infirmities or hardships may come. We find testimony of this in II Corinthians 12:10. You cannot please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6), so He will work to help you get some!

            Newsletter subscribers will probably recognize some (if not all) of the following examples from my own life. To you faithful brethren, I ask that you please bear with me! These good lessons from the Lord will also need to be shared with anyone who ventures onto these pages (II Corinthians 1:4). Thank you for being patient.

            My wife and I were called to leave our full-time secular jobs some 21 months ago. The Lord had long ago chosen us (John 15:16) for service to Him; to bear fruit for Him (through the Holy Ghost), and depend on Him, not laying up treasure for ourselves to retire in comfort someday.

            Yet it has been hard to grow in faith, patiently waiting for the Lord to provide means; not trusting in our own “arm of flesh” to supply our needs (Jeremiah 17:5-8). We have worked regular jobs, or rather, tried to work regular jobs—but He continues to hold up His hand, and stop us. I have questioned at times whether or not we understood the Lord correctly to leave our jobs; but the confirmation has come by the many remarkable ways in which He has worked, to prevent our return to those jobs. He has done this through varying circumstances, conviction of the Spirit, and appropriate scriptures. But also there has been significant physical affliction (chastening) that God has used to oppose us. It seems that perhaps we could have stubbornly resisted God’s plain leading; but Jamie and I know better! With reverent submission we have come to say, “…if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”—Acts 5:39.

            Years ago, I worked in the composites division of a concrete company. There were about 6 of us, plus a floor supervisor and the division leader. Both of these in authority are Catholic.

            While there, the Lord answered many prayers, enabling me to share my faith in Christ. I thank God for this blessing! Yet I had also shared about Catholicism, and how it falsely claims to be Biblical Christianity (Please see our Catholic Faith section).

            It is a dangerous thing to speak against the Catholic Church. Catholics are told that theirs is the church one must belong to, if they hope to be saved (Catholics cannot be certain of their salvation—it is the sin of presumption.). By papal decree, it is also permissible to kill any who oppose or reject Catholicism—it is a supposed service to God, and works toward the Catholic’s eternal redemption; if they will murder someone who is proclaimed to be a “heretic.” Yet killing is only one way to deal with Catholicism’s heretics…

            Slowly but certainly, I began to receive impressions from God that I should look for another job. I resisted the notion somewhat, for I was fairly content with things. The Lord got out His chastening rod, and I started getting backaches. We worked on a concrete floor, so even with this pain, I was unsure that the Lord was further prompting me to leave…

            Confirmation came, when I was called into a private meeting with my two Catholic bosses. In essence, they began to attack my work in the shop, questioning my thinking Q: “When you were done with this job, why did you do that?” A: “Because you said that if we needed something to do, that could be done.” Q: “But why didn’t you do these other jobs?” A: “I wasn’t aware that they needed to be done, and I wasn’t told to do those other jobs.” They both agreed then that I was a good worker, always productive, and followed the instructions I was given. In this first attack, they were shooting blanks! But what about the next one(s)? This is why God was leading me away from this job. I’d been victimized by attacks from Catholicism before; these attacks were bound to get worse.

            The Lord graciously brought me into another job, and my backaches ceased. Common wisdom of men tells them to find a good job, and stay with it. Yet my Lord has called me to be a “stranger and pilgrim” on this earth. “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…”—from I Corinthians 1:27.

            About two years ago when things were tight, the decision was made for Jamie to again begin applying for work. I had a part-time job at the time; having been allowed to proceed in this by the Lord, and then He blessed quickly with work. 2 days before Jamie was to resume her applications, she broke her ankle! The timing of this was a clear message, but we still wondered where the money would come from. The strain for myself grew; now I had every duty at home, 20 hours per week working, and training my daughter to drive. Along with the website, it was too much for me; so I left my job once again…

            Yet my last job, in a department store, really spelled it out. Again I began with part-time work, because this is all the Lord would allow. After 3 months there, I was offered a full-time position with the company. In spite of all we had been through, I still thought that maybe I was being blessed, and should take the job. I laid it down in prayer, and could not sense that the Lord was saying “no” to the job. After all our experiences, I was pretty cautious! So I prayed, telling God that I intended to take the job, unless He showed me otherwise…

            Two weeks went by without more discussion concerning the job. I was curious, but not anxious. Then one Friday at work I injured my left foot—immediately I prayed, and believed that the Lord had healed me. And it was true—after the serious fall, I had nothing more than moderate discomfort later in the day, praise the Lord!

            Sunday I worked a full day, coming home at the mid-point for lunch. Everything felt fine; even my right foot had more discomfort than the left! I then returned to work as usual…

            By the day’s end, I could barely walk. I managed to limp to the car and drive home, and hobbled my way through a shower (it was my left foot again). Shortly after the shower, I could not walk on my left foot. I hopped around when moving, used a cane and furniture to help myself move. What had happened? How did I go from being well, to disabled? I knew something was wrong—but just felt too worn out to properly deal with it in prayer that night. Monday was an “off” day, so I decided to deal with it then…

            As I was waking up the next morning, I began pointedly praying about my foot (it was still the same as the night before); asking the Lord to reveal what had brought this infirmity about. I had not thought long about it, when things became quite clear. Upon returning to work Sunday afternoon, I had deliberately sought out two managers regarding my upcoming full-time work. Arrangements were made to discuss it, and proceed on Tuesday.

            Remember—I had intended to take the job, unless the Lord would show me otherwise; He just had! From the time of discussing my future promotion, things went downhill fast.

            It was still early, but I began to pray in repentance. I told the Lord that I understood His message, and would not take the job. But, I did sort of need the use of my foot! So I asked Him for healing, that I might be free to move about in prayer. Immediately, strength literally flowed into my left foot—I could feel the tendons and ligaments popping back into place! When I stood up, I could walk very easily; the small pain remaining diminished steadily throughout the day. Not only did the Lord direct me through chastening, but by working in this way, I never had to look back and wonder if I had done the right thing—God’s will was clear.

            Many are the times God has used infirmity in my life, for direction and correction. Such things never “feel good” while being experienced, but they are necessary for refining unto Godly holiness.

            Even so, many such infirmities may not be caused exclusively by chastening. Aches and pains are often merely caused by hard work—we are not super men and women, by any means. You may also get sick when an illness is “going around”, or have eaten something disagreeable with your body’s make-up. How can we know if the Lord has a special message (chastening) in it for us?

            First of all, even those “naturally” developing infirmities can be used for spiritual strengthening. As an example, this year I had to work among poison plants. I prayed in advance for protection and tried to use good sense—yet it “pleased the Lord” (Isaiah 53:10) to allow me affliction by this. I wasn’t infected badly, and began normal treatment. Steady improvement was made until it was almost gone; but then, it mysteriously, just seemed to breakout all over my body! My own efforts were proving quite futile; until I got serious about it in prayer. It was only then that real healing began, and with very little medical treatment. I am being taught that I must utterly depend on the Lord—even as a small, helpless child will depend on his parents. God made use of this “natural” affliction to further this training in my life.

            Strictly speaking, as unique as each of us is, I can give no specific formula for how this could work for you, personally. If I did, it could hinder the way in which the Holy Spirit would choose to work. So take the following instructions as suggestions only; try to seek the Lord at His will, being open to the special ways in which He may work.

            First, God is big on timing. Certain occurrences themselves may not appear to be supernatural, but the time at which they happen has a serious effect. It could prevent you from carrying out plans, or alter when you do them; it could even force you into a path that you wouldn’t have considered taking.

            Second, an infirmity which seems to come on hard; and unexpectedly. Now, if your children get bad head colds, the whole family will likely get them—it is not unexpected. But to go from being well, to very sick—in a short time period, without an obvious explanation; such an event deserves looking into through prayer.

            Third, when an infirmity or circumstance lingers much longer than it should. Injuries that just won’t heal, illnesses that linger, or even some personal conflict that drags on, could be allowed of the Lord in bringing us to deal with certain spiritual issues.

            Fourth, possibly many repeated and varied afflictions assailing you and your family. It is not “bad luck” which has a hold of you! You must trust Jesus Christ to be your Lord, in all things (Proverbs 3:5,6).  Beware! Satan also brings contention, as you try to live a life that is pleasing to God. If you are staying close to the Lord in prayer, with Bible study, good discernment will follow as to what is happening.

            Hopefully some good light has been shed on this topic, for your personal edification. Really, the Holy Spirit must be the one to guide you into Biblical truth (II Peter 1:20,21) in all areas. In love, the Lord often brings or allows serious affliction when dealing with His children. My experience is, that when the purpose of the chastening is accomplished, the Lord will heal us in due season (Psalms 145:15). Ultimately, however, there is also an appointed time for being united with the Lord in death (Hebrews 9:27). Again, please review our section on The Healing from God for more insight. May the Lord bless you, as you continue on in Him.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33