Time to get back to Shepherding a Childs Heart! Sorry for slacking…I blame it on working more and having fun with my family!!
So we left off discussing biblical methods of communication. Now we move onto a more controversial but non-the-less biblical method of the rod. So before we get into it lets look at what the Bible says…
“He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him” Proverbs 13:24
“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him” Proverbs 22:15
“Punish him [a child] with the rod and save his soul from death” Proverbs 23:14
“The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. “ Proverbs 29:15
“Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul” Proverbs 29:17
As parents we have the responsibility to “train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). How is this accomplished? We have talked about biblical communication and expectations. We know that the “heart is deceitful” and that there are many temptations that lure our children to worship something other than God. What is the best way to train young children? Correction and communication. Not retribution or payment for sin. The price for our sin has been paid! Hallelujah! We are acting as agents to set our children free. So, according to Proverbs 13:24 if you love your child you will discipline him or her. We have discussed in reading this book that our children are prone to wander and sin and Proverbs 22:15 confirms that again and tells us that the rod will drive that tendency away! Not only that, it tell us in Proverbs 23:14 that it will save them from death! This is not referring to physical death, but spiritual death. We use the rod to rescue our children from dying spiritually. We should recognize that when our child does something wrong, there is an underlying issue dealing with the heart falling from God and we are to save our child from falling into temptation. A spanking is not something we do because we are angry or frustrated or to make our child “feel bad” for what they have done. It is to save their soul! Proverbs 29:15 tells us that it imparts wisdom. When used properly (not out of anger or retribution) a child gains wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 29:17 gives us good news; Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul”. That is because the child will also be at peace. Yes, they will probably cry, but when done correctly they understand boundaries and because of this they begin to understand the freedom and joy of knowing Christ! We can be at peace! Remember that communication is still a huge part of the correction process and the biblical use of the rod and the use of biblical communication can save your child from spiritual death!
Here are specifics the book lays out about THE ROD…
The Rod is…
1) A Parental Exercise
2) An Act of Faith
3) An Act of Faithfulness
4) A Responsibility
5) A Physical Punishment
6) A Rescue Mission
The Rod is NOT…
1) Not the Right to Unbridled Temper
2) Not the Right to Hit Our Children Whenever We Wish
3) Not Venting of Frustration
4) Not Retribution
5) Not Associated with Vindictive Anger
I don’t know about you but I do not what my child to be a slave to sin. I want to lead my child to a freeing relationship with Christ. I must be obedient to what Christ has told me from his word to do as a parent. It is not easy, but I know that it is worth it.
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