June 2, 2012 (Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “Don’t fail to discipline your children. They won’t die if you spank them. Physical discipline may well save them from death* (*Sheol/Hell)” Proverbs 23:13-14 NLT
Observation: Solomon is giving wise advice about disciplining children. He is not advocating abuse or injury; he is simply teaching us how to really love our children. Our love for them should go deeper than mere words of correction at times. Physical discipline should be carried out in an orderly fashion, with a proper mindset of love and compassion. Physical discipline should not be administered while one is full of anger or rage. The purpose of physical discipline is to teach a child the painful consequences of sin. It is much better to discipline your children out of love for them, than to see a judge discipline then out of obligation to the law.
Application: The title of this post probably shocked some of you. But why did it shock you? Are you shocked because you believe physical discipline is wrong? Are you shocked because you have been conditioned to believe that physical correction is abuse? Our society today has no problem at all going against God’s word and discounting it as old fashioned and out dated. Yet the results of our way of disciplining are evident. Prisons are full of men, and women, that wish they could just be beat and sent home. But it’s too late for physical discipline now. In many cases the lack of physical correction administered to a child by their very own parents has led them to a more harsh punishment of prison. Physical discipline is designed to teach your children about the consequences of sin and save your children from the horrors of prison life. Listen to the word of God and love your children enough to save them!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for the physical discipline I received as a child from my parents, it indeed helped teach me the consequences of sin. Help me be wise when administering physical discipline. Help me know when it is genuinely needed and required. In Jesus name, Amen!