Chastening

Chastening refers to the constructive corrective measures that God takes towards His children for their good. When we err and are hardened towards sin, God chastens us in order to correct us and lead us in the truth.

A. Why Does God Chasten?
-Because He deals with us as His sons. (Heb.12:7)
-Because He loves us. (Rev.3:19; Heb.12:6)
-Because He wants to build us up. (2Cor.13:10)

B. Ways of Chastening
Rod and Rebuke (Proverbs 29:15)
Rebuke
-Through His servants (Psalm 141:5; 1Tim.5:20; 2Tim.4:2; Titus 1:13; 2:15)
-Through His Word (2 Tim. 3:16)

Rod
External:
-With the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men (2 Samuel 7:14; Hosea 10:10)
-Sword, Famine, Pestilence (national) (2 Samuel 24:13; 2Chr. 20:9; Jer.11:22; 14:12,13; 15:2; 21:9; 24:10; 27:8,13; 29:17,18; 32:36; 34:17; 38:2; 42:17,22; 44:13; Eze. 6:11,12; 12:16)
-Infirmity, Sickness (1Cor. 11:30, 32; James 5:14-16)
Internal:Inner agony and sensing the displeasure of God and God’s silence towards our prayers (guilt, lack of peace, etc) (Psalm 6:1-3, 6; 38:1ff.; Eph. 4:30; 1Pet. 3:7)

C. Our Response to Chastening
-Repent from our sins
-Humble ourselves
-Turn completely to God
-Surrender to His will
-Obey what He commands