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Using Stories To Discipline

We’ve talked about using stories to teach lessons.
Here’s another application, using stories for discipline.
Ever hear the excuse, 
“It was just one time.”

Read I Kings 2. 
Shimei cursed David as he fled from Absalom. He pled for his life after David returned to his throne. David promised he would not take it.
Before his death, David instructed Solomon to give Shimei justice.
Solomon brings Shimei before him and commands he live in Jerusalem.
He is not to leave Jerusalem.
Solomon doesn't explain why. He doesn't need to. 
[This also addresses that reason  “I’m 16 years old, I should be able to make my own decisions.”
In this illustration, a man, not a child, was required to obey.
We all must obey someone—a boss, a landlord, a government… ]

How does Shimei respond to this rule?
Shimei said, “What you say is good, … so will your servant do.”
But three years pass, two of his servants escape to another city.
(The rule doesn't stop because time passes.)
He leaves to get them.
He has disobeyed.
What’s the consequence?
Death.
Did he have a good reason to disobey?
Was it worth his life?

What about the excuse, “You didn’t want me to miss church, did you?”
[I told myself not to be distracted with why he wasn’t ready for church on time and was left. That was another issue.]
King Saul had that dilemma too.
We read about it in I Samuel 15:22. 
The prophet Samuel told him to wait for him to sacrifice. 
Samuel was late.
The Philistines were ready on the other mountainside to fight.
Saul was losing men. He must do something before he lost all his men.
Sacrifice was essential for victory.
Wasn’t that a good thing?
So he sacrificed.
When he finished, Samuel arrived and pronounced the consequence of Saul sacrificing instead of the priest—disobeying God’s command for the priest to sacrifice and for him to wait.
There was no second chance, though he didn’t know the consequence, he knew the command.
Just because it’s a good thing, doesn’t justify disobedience.
Ask Saul.
He lost his kingdom.
“To obey is better than sacrifice.” 

The Bible is full of stories that teach God’s lessons.
Study to avoid misapplication.
The Daniel’s Diet of vegetables and fruit spread through churches a few years ago—as if the diet would help lose weight. 
Notice: They ate and got fatter than those who ate the king’s meat. Their motive was not to disobey God’s dietary commands. God blessed their obedience.
Be diligent to represent the Word accurately.

Pray for wisdom to discipline.
God will bring the right story to mind, as you read His Word and listen to His Spirit to discipline your children. 


Displaying 1 comment

You are right, too often we feel that "only one time" is not that big of a deal. Wrong! Even if we are not punished immediately as these stories tell, one time can be the beginning of a downhill slide. Thanks for sharing, always get something out of your articles.
Hope you are really really enjoying Hawaii!

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Author of Biblical fiction, married to my best friend, and challenged by eight sons’ growing pains as I write about what matters.

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