2 Samuel 7:14 (NASB), “I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men.”

God told David that He would discipline his son, Solomon, if he stepped out of line. He would do this through people who would direct him away from any wrongdoing. Today, when the Lord disciplines His children, He does it through His Holy Spirit and His Word. Romans 7:6 says, “…So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life]”. When we do something that is wrong and contrary to God’s ways, the Holy Spirit immediately alerts us of it.  Then, when we acknowledge our error, and simply ask for His forgiveness, we adjust our ways to align with His will (1 John 1:9).  We really just need to remain sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit who lives in us and respond to His instructions. Our simple obedience to Him always results in a powerful gift! His character begins to dominate our natural, flesh character.   In other words, the nature of our perfect re-born spirits, begins to influence our personality, so that the part of us that people see and interact with, is literally being transformed into the image of who Jesus is. I’m not talking about our physical appearance, although God’s peace and joy certainly does change our countenance.  It’s our personalities that take on the personality of Jesus. The more we obey the Holy Spirit, the more we begin to think and speak and act like Jesus.  Ephesians 5:9-10 says, “For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].” When we respond to the Holy Spirit’s discipline with humility and grateful obedience, our lives show evidence of Him being at work in us. God’s discipline never produces fear, neither does it bring condemnation or regret - just a recognition of where we went wrong, and an overwhelming gratitude to be able to realign ourselves with His will, through His help, so we can walk in His fullness. Welcome the leading and gentle disciple of the Holy Spirit in your life - it’s proof of you belonging to Him!