Spoil Your Children… ?
One of the biggest problems facing the church today and our society as a whole is that we are raising up a generation of spoiled and unrestrained children. The children of today will be the ones leading our country and the church in the future. The future of the church in this country may not be very bright because sin and apostasy are the likely result of this lack of restraint.
Proverbs 13:24 teaches, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” The rod Solomon referred to is not just simply a rod to spank the child with, (although that is often the case), the rod he referred to was the shepherd’s staff. This staff had many uses. It could be used a tool for defending the sheep. It could also be used to guide the sheep into the desired path. Moreover, it could be used to correct an errant sheep and bring him back into the fold.
In raising our children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4), we need to use the Word of God in conjunction with the rod of discipline. The child nurtured in the Bible and its teaching is given a measure of protection from the wiles of the devil because this child has been taught what God expects of him and how to deal with sin and temptation. The Word of God can be known and understood by a child, just as Paul reminded Timothy that, “from a child” he had “known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:15). The Word of God is “…profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When a child is raised with Biblical teaching, he is given a guide to keep him on the path of righteousness. “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:104-105). When a child strays from that path, Proverbs 13:24 teaches that the rod can also be used to mete out punishment.
Corporal punishment (i.e. spanking) is a good tool when used correctly. “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.” (Proverbs 23:13) However, it must always be done with love as well as firmness. A loving parent who disciplines his child is not a contradiction. A “loving” parent who “spoils” his child is a contradiction. The Bible teaches that loving and spoiling are diametrically opposed to each other. Those who claim they love their children too much to punish them do not love them – God says they hate them.
Other related Proverbs:
Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Proverbs 23:14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.