Discipline is one of the most important virtues we can have as Christians. Discipline, self-control, and related concepts are emphasized in the Bible to help us remain focused and dedicated to the path of righteousness in a journey full of temptations and distractions.
Throughout His life on earth, Jesus, our greatest role model, was able to practice great restraint and self-discipline. For example, when he was tempted three times after fasting for 40 days and nights, he practiced self-control and was able to resist the temptation. Additionally, despite possessing so much power that enabled him to perform great miracles, Jesus still lived a life of humility and practiced restraint with his powers.
While remaining disciplined despite all the tempting situations that we come across is hard, by following Christ’s example and teachings, we too can overcome temptation and remain on the path of self-control and perseverance.
Let’s take a look at 50 Bible verses that teach us about the importance of discipline and why we should train ourselves and our children to be disciplined in the ways of the Lord.
Bible Verses About Discipline
Proverbs 3:11-12
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”
Read Also: 56 Bible Verses About Hope in Hard Times
Hebrews 12:5-6
“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son whom he receives.'”
Proverbs 12:1
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
Proverbs 15:32
“Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.”
Proverbs 13:24
“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”
Proverbs 29:17
“Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.”
2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Proverbs 10:17
“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.”
Psalms 94:12
“Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law.”
Job 5:17
“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.”
Proverbs 15:10
“There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.”
Proverbs 19:18
“Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.”
Proverbs 22:15
“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.”
Read Also: 60 Hopeful Bible Verses For Infertility
Proverbs 23:13
“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.”
Psalms 119:67
“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.”
Proverbs 29:15
“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”
1 Corinthians 9:27
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Proverbs 29:1
“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.”
Proverbs 6:23
“For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.”
Revelation 3:19
“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”
Proverbs 13:1
“A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”
Proverbs 3:1-2
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.”
1 Corinthians 11:32
“But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.”
Read Also: 58 Bible Verses About Shame For Hope And Healing
Proverbs 13:18
“Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.”
Proverbs 9:7-8
“Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.”
1 Corinthians 5:5
“You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”
Proverbs 13:15
“Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.”
Proverbs 6:20-23
“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.”
Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 15:5
“A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.”
2 Peter 1:5-6
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness.”
Proverbs 4:13
“Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.”
Proverbs 23:22
“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”
Proverbs 29:19
“By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.”
Proverbs 29:21
“Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir.”
Read Also: 56 Bible Verses About War to Inspire Hope
Proverbs 16:32
“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
Proverbs 5:12
“And you say, ‘How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!'”
Proverbs 10:8
“The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.”
Psalms 141:5
“Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.”
Hebrews 12:11
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 19:20
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”
1 Timothy 4:7-8
“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Proverbs 15:14
“The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.”
Proverbs 16:20
“Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”
Read Also: What Does the Bible Say About Vaccines?
Proverbs 15:5
“A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.”
Proverbs 10:17
“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.”
Proverbs 12:15
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”