If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

Hebrews 12:8 (NIV)

 

The author of the epistle to the Hebrews makes it clear that God uses the truth of His Word to correct and discipline those He considers to be His children. Though it can be a challenging and humbling experience, God's correction fulfils God's will in our lives. It affirms and confirms our belonging to God, as well as our deep friendship and relationship with Him.

A believer with an orphan spirit becomes offended when corrected.

They are saved, but they are not living out the truth and reality of their identity as a child of God. Instead, they carry the baggage of extreme abandonment and rejection and not walking in the truth. They have not realised that the Spirit of adoption within them (Romans 8:15) enables them to call God. “Abba, Father.”

This spirit of adoption is the Holy Spirit, and His role is to help you in living as a true son or daughter of the Father. Having the Holy Spirit working in us changes the way we love and trust God. If we truly see ourselves as God's children, we should ask God to correct us as appropriate and necessary.

Remember that when God corrects us, He is not hurting us. Rather, God is healing us from our false perceptions and expectations of what He should and should not be doing in our lives. Then we will not have to struggle with submission or refuse to let God lead us. This is because His correction releases you from the shackles of an orphan spirit and empowers you to live freely as His beloved child.