CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE

Of course these are just examples, and the way that God disciplines you is as individual as you are. The great thing is that God gives us all the choice to stop our sin at any time which stops the discipline. Many times we are in denial of our sin, which keeps us from escaping from continuing discipline. We simply don't want to admit to or let go of our sin. Yes, it's ugly, but it's true. A parent's love is what motivates them to discipline, and the same is true of God. Continuing with Paul:

And you have forgotten the instruction which speaks to you as to children,

For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
and scourges every son whom He receives.
If you endure discipline,
God deals with you as with sons;
for what son is he whom the father doesn't scold?
But if you are without discipline,
of which we all are a part,
then you are illegitimate, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had mortal fathers which corrected us,
and we gave them respect:
wouldn't we much rather be in submission
to the Father of spirits, and live?
For they truly for a few days chastened us to please themselves;
but God disciplines us for our benefit,
that we might be partakers of His holiness.

Now no chastening at the time, seems to be joyous, but grievous:
nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness
for those who learn by it.

We've all known unruly children who are not well disciplined, and adults who are not self-disciplined. Can you imagine the chaos that the world would be in if it weren't for our loving Father's discipline?

So strengthen up the hands which hang down,
and the weak knees;
And make straight paths for your feet,
so the weak won't be rejected;
but rather be healed.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness,
without which no man shall see the Lord:
Watching carefully so that no man falls short of the grace of God;
so that no root of bitterness springing up troubles you,
and by this many are defiled;
In case there be any fornicator, or dishonorable person, as Esau,
who for one morsel of meat (In a moment of weakness) sold his birthright.

For you know how that afterward,
when Esau would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected:
because he didn't repent,
though he sought it (the blessing) carefully with tears.
Genesis 27:34-40

This is that "root of bitterness" that Paul was just talking about. Instead of being truly sorry for what he did, Esau was bitter and consequently the blessing he received made him even more bitter, which is what Paul meant when he said, "and by this many are defiled." The point is, don't resent the discipline of your Father, because you may make things worse.