Necessary Discipline

For Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Proverbs 29:19

By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.

There are those with a "slave mentality" who take opportunity to slouch on the job and steal from their employers and fellow workers. Such persons do not respond to instruction nor to reasoning. Rebuking them as no effect. Their problem is not a lack of understanding nor the need for more training. Their problem is that they are lazy and self-serving. Then, to defend their behavior, they complain about too hard of work given, bad conditions, and unfair treatment. Teachers see this in certain students, as well.

Again, to reason with them will not suffice for they do not want to work. Thus, discipline is needed. They cannot be reasoned with, nor motivated positively. Because they are self-centered, they will at least avoid the negative consequences of punishment. That's the way it is.

Wisdom is then required to discern what is effective with different persons. We are a society of second and third and fourth chances. It is good to keep trying with individuals who are troubled, but we must be careful not to harm them by withholding discipline. A lazy person is headed for disaster if he is never allowed to be disciplined or receive consequences for his behavior. If we keep giving chance after chance to change without consequences, we reinforce in his mind that he deserves his good opportunities that come without having to work.