Parenting

In the past couple weeks we’ve presented teaching and practice as essential steps in childtraining. Now we must consider discipline. And I say must quite intentionally.

As I thought about what to write for this post I discovered something: my thinking had been skewed by the constant barrage against Biblical teaching regarding childtraining. As I attempted to gather my thoughts I found myself pussyfooting around taboo words such as “punishment”, walking on eggshells regarding administering (do I dare say it?) spankings, hedging about justice vs. mercy, becoming a professional euphemist.

“Yuck!” I thought. “What good will any of this namby-pamby stuff be for anyone? This is no better than psycho-babble. This will settle no issues, lend no strength, be no absolute help. We need a rock to stand on, to build on. Lord, help me!”

So back to the Word I went. Fresh water. Solid counsel. No namby-pamby stuff. No pussyfooting around. I love that about my God. He is strong and not afraid to act on that strength. He is gentle and not embarrassed to be so. And He has made us in His image. He has called us to act as He acts, love as He loves, to demonstrate strength and gentleness.

Today I invite you to refresh yourself with the Word of God. I am going to present to you a list of scriptures to read through, then next time we will have a common reference to work from. I will keep it simple — just address and text. My one request? Look for words and concepts that our culture pooh-poohs. You may be surprised.

Ready? Let’s do it!

Prov.23:13
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

Deut.8:5
Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.

Prov.3:11,12 3:11
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Lev. 26:18, 23, 24
“If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over.”
“If in spite of these things you do not accept my correction but continue to be hostile toward me, I myself will be hostile toward you and will afflict you for your sins seven times over.”

Prov. 6:23
For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life…

Eph.6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Hebrews 12:5-11
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21
If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him,
his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town.
They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a profligate and a drunkard.”
Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid.

Additional -
Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13,14
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

Proverbs 29:15,17
The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.