Delayed Discipline

Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. – Ecclesiastes 8:11

In the recent years, we’ve seen this scripture fulfilled when young men riot because a judgment or sentence against evil was not executed speedily, or at all. In contrast, graveyards are filled with the bodies of black men often because of a delayed disciplinary action against an evil “work” they committed when they were young. When we delay discipline, evil quickly takes root in the hearts of our sons, which in season sprouts foolish behavior; then fully committing themselves to doing evil, our sons receive an early death. For this reason King Solomon told his sons to not be excessively wicked and do not be fools. Then he asked them, “Why should you die before your time?” I can’t count the young men I know that lives were cut short due to being excessively foolish. Personally, I lost two brothers to murder, both were young and lacked discipline. King Solomon gave us the counter to such tragic outcomes when he advised us to discipline our sons while there is still hope. Nowadays, it’s rare to witness a parent training up their child in the instruction of the LORD. There are many reasons for this but I believe the main one is that “training” requires discipline from both the child and the parent. I have a beautiful son, and I admit at times it’s very difficult to discipline him swiftly because of the deep love I have for him. However, quickly I shake that emotion because although for the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  May we parents, teachers, and all those in authority take heed to the wisdom given by King Solomon and stop delaying discipline.

Scriptures for Meditation & Memory: Ecc 7:17, Pro 18:19, Eph 6:4 & Heb 12:11

Shalom Aleichem,
Jason Wilson
Founder/CEO
The Cave of Adullam Transformational Training Academy