Passage Read: Proverbs 10-13
Meditation Verse: 10:17
Thought
My response to discipline and correction doesn't just affect me, but encourages others! If I listen to and learn from discipline, that shows others the way to life. If I reject correction, it leads others astray. Obedience isn't just for myself, but for the benefit of others, that they might be guided along a good path. Disobedience doesn't just affect me, but encourages others to go their own way. Is interesting that disobedience is more effective than obedience: Obedience shows the way to life, but disobedience actually leads people astray. Obedience is a testimony for people to consider, disobedience encourages people to act.
Application
I will not harm anyone by my obedience and submission to God's discipline. I'll actually be a help to any who choose to receive encouragement from my example to do what pleases God. But by rejecting correction, I actually harm myself and others, because I encourage them in their rebellion, to remain in it, to continue to act out their disobedience. I have no guarantee that my submission to God will lead others to submit to Him, but I can be sure that my rebellion will embolden others in their rebellion. For my own sake and for others, I need to welcome and follow any discipline the Lord brings my way. Even if no one else is helped, at least no one will be able to point to my example as their inspiration to do wrong.