Wednesday, June 15, 2011

CHILD DISCIPLINE (Part II)



SHEPHERD TO SHEEP



CHILD DISCIPLINE (Part II)

Last time I shared some principles from the Word of God that I pray was helpful to parents. This time I would like to draw from the wisdom of Proverbs that is generously insightful in regards to child discipline. Please keep in mind that though we live in modern times these truths are ageless!

- (Prov 13:24) He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. If we refrain from disciplining and correcting our children then we actually hate our children because we are forfeiting that which is essential in their lives for full development and maturity. And notice how we must discipline our children promptly. That means in a timely fashion. Don’t be lazy in dealing with what your child needs at the moment…including discipline!

- (Prov 19:18) Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction. The time to correct your child is now while they are young. If we neglect child discipline then what hope do we have that our children will be obedient in the future? Not only to us but how about their teachers… future employers… or most importantly to God? Better that your child cries now than for you as a parent to cry later when your child has no respect for authority and lives a godless life.

- (Prov 22:15) Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. Isn’t it strange how we as parents wonder why our kids act up and misbehave when we do so much for them and bend over backwards for them? What wasted discussion there is between husband and wife on this subject! Our children are rebellious because they have a sinful nature that they inherited from us. That bend toward evil needs to be brought into conformity to the will of God. This will come by parents who teach principles from God’s Word and live it out in the home and hold their children accountable for their behavior.

- (Prov 23:13-14) Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. {14} You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell. See what discipline does? It will keep your children in line and on the right path so they will serve the Lord and be guarded from the road to destruction the world is calling them to. Now keep in mind this is not a scripture to validate the venting of personal anger on a child. We are not to be overly harsh on our child. But neither are we to be too lenient on them either. Both sides will provoke our children to wrath because they will feel we do not love them (Eph 6:4).


- (Prov 29:15) The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Loving discipline is corrective in nature. It gives the child wisdom and the knowledge of right and wrong. Children learn by testing the boundaries and suffering consequences. If we leave our children to themselves then eventually they will bring shame to us as parents. Parents will suffer the consequences of their own neglect. Get a rule over yourself so you can get a rule over your children so that everybody will be under God’s rule which is the best! (Rom 13:1-2)

- (Prov 29:17) Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul. Discipline is hard work. That’s why many parents neglect this responsibility. But the benefits of attentive parenting are that your children will be a blessing to you because you raised them right and stayed on your post. Much challenge brings much reward. You were meant to enjoy your children, not just endure them. And the ultimate joy is to see them love and serve God (3 John 1:4). God help us in the training of our children for His glory! (Deu 6:4-9)

Louie

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