"Wisdom Cries Out"
Children Need Correction
“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” (Proverbs 13.24)
Children need correction. They come into this world with a narrow mindset, and their limited life experience makes it difficult to see the long-term effects of bad choices. As the wise man teaches, “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from them” (Proverbs 22.15).
Nothing is more critical in parenting than discipline. It teaches our children how to respect authority and honor God. It establishes the precedent that there is a right and wrong way to live. Most importantly, it shows them we care about their future and their well-being. This is God’s pattern with us that we must communicate to our children (Hebrews 12.7-11)!
It is important to note how interconnected the consequences are for parents with their children. When children succeed or fail, parents often experience the same. “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29.15). Conversely, if you “discipline your son, he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.” (Proverbs 29.17).
No good parent likes to discipline their child, but we only have a small window of time to influence and train them (Proverbs 19.18). The older they get, the more difficult it is to establish authority and teach children to listen. Parents must take advantage of the time we have and train our children to make good, wise choices (Proverbs 22.16). If we love our children, we will be diligent to discipline them.
“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.” (Proverbs 23.13-14)
