What is chastening? First: chastening is not the same as punishment. Webster defines punish as: to cause to undergo pain, loss…to impose a penalty. However, chasten, according to Webster, means to punish so as to correct. These are two different approaches, purposes. However I will admit that they may feel the same. Hebrews 12:11 tells us: “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Chasten is typically a term that’s found in scripture. According to one source, “…chastening is generally considered painful and unpleasant, intended as a ‘rebuke or reprimand’ to change one’s behavior…” It’s important to consider the underlying reason for the chastening. Again, “…the purpose of chastising is not to destroy, but to lead to repentance, and to restore God’s blessing.” Hebrews 12:7 teaches us that: “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?”
I suspect that none of us likes punishment or chastening, I certainly don’t. We all have some definite opinions when it comes to punishment, especially as it relates to ourselves. For example: I’d much prefer mercy than justice. My question for me though is – do I react to others mercifully or wanting justice? Does a double standard operate? And equally important – would I want God to treat that other person with punishment or chastening?
There is nothing pleasant about chastening… at the moment. However, is God someone you trust? Because I believe that’s the bottom line. If you surrender your life to God then He wants you to be the best you you can be. Since none of us is perfect, chastening is inevitable to assist us in becoming who we are designed to be. Chastening can be a learning tool… if we approach correction in this way.
