Return to Discipline: A Call to the Body of Christ

Understanding the Need for Wisdom and Discipline

There are situations where power alone is insufficient; wisdom is required. This was the case with Samson—his strength was legendary, but wisdom was lacking. Likewise, when David found himself among the brothers of Goliath, he recognized that this was not a moment for aggression but for strategic thinking. In such moments, wisdom ensures survival and victory.

Scripture reinforces the importance of wisdom in difficult situations. A wise man will always find a way out, as seen in David’s encounter. The lesson here is clear: power without wisdom is dangerous. Wisdom preserves, while recklessness leads to downfall.

The Ark of the Covenant: A Symbol of Discipline

Hebrews 9:4 describes the Ark of the Covenant, which originally contained three critical elements: the golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the Ten Commandments. Each of these held profound significance:

• The Manna represented divine provision, ensuring that future generations understood God’s sustaining power.
• Aaron’s Rod symbolized divine authority and the enforcement of discipline.
• The Ten Commandments represented God’s law, guiding His people in righteous living.

However, by the time Solomon reigned, the only item left in the Ark was the Ten Commandments (1 Kings 8:9). The rod of discipline had been removed. This loss symbolized the decline of discipline in Israel, leading to moral decay. Solomon, though wise, fell into unrestrained indulgence, accumulating 700 wives and 300 concubines. The absence of discipline led to corruption and spiritual decline.

The Decline of Discipline in the Church

In today’s Church, we see a similar pattern. The Prosperity Gospel, which gained traction over the last 40 years, has led to a reluctance to discipline believers. Many church leaders fear that if they enforce discipline, members will leave for other churches that offer them positions and prestige without accountability. As a result, we now have churches filled with undisciplined believers, irresponsible husbands, and leaders who exploit their positions.

When discipline is absent, immorality thrives. An example of this was a man who, after being disciplined for inappropriate behavior, left his church only to be given a leadership role in another. Without proper vetting and discipline, he continued in immorality, leading others astray.

The Bible teaches that true sons are disciplined (Hebrews 12:6-8). A child without discipline is a bastard. The same applies spiritually. The Church must return to the principles that governed the early believers—discipline, accountability, and righteousness.

Return to True Discipleship

Discipleship is essential for maintaining order and righteousness in the Church. In the early days of Christianity, believers remained rooted where they were spiritually nurtured. Samuel grew in Shiloh, where he was trained. Today, however, many believers seek comfort over accountability, moving from one church to another to avoid correction. This leads to a lack of spiritual growth and a generation of superficial Christians.

We must return to genuine discipleship, where believers are raised with strong spiritual foundations. True growth happens when believers remain committed to their spiritual home and submit to godly leadership.

The Legacy of Solomon vs. Rahab

Hebrews 11 lists the heroes of faith, including unlikely figures such as Rahab, a former prostitute who transformed her life and became an ancestor of Jesus. However, Solomon—despite his wisdom, wealth, and influence—is absent from this list. His downfall was his compromise; after building a temple for God, he also built shrines for idols. He ended in spiritual ruin.

This serves as a warning: prosperity without discipline leads to destruction. If we follow a faith that seeks wealth while neglecting righteousness, we risk being left out of God’s eternal story.

Returning to Discipline

The Church must reclaim discipline, discipleship, and divine nourishment. Just as the Ark originally contained the manna, rod, and commandments, our faith must include:

• Nourishment: Daily feeding on God’s Word.
• Discipline: Enforcing accountability and righteous living.
• Commandments: Obeying God’s laws without compromise.

We are called to restore the integrity of the Church. This is not a time for spiritual laxity but for unwavering commitment to holiness. If we are to see true revival, we must return to discipline. The Church is one body—let us build it with righteousness, wisdom, and divine order.