D
ISCIPLINE IS EVANGELISTICHow to Save your Child’s Soul from Hell
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child” (Pro. 22:15a). Folly, not goodness or innocence or ignorance. Folly can be defined as morally reprehensible behavior; it is the opposite of wisdom, which is morally righteous behavior. “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him” (Pro. 22:15). God’s ordained means for dealing with folly is not yelling, time-outs, grounding, taking away the TV or video games, or a year at a juvenile center, but the rod of discipline. This is not rocket science. This is easy to understand. The question is do we believe God or the so called experts, who are unanimous in their opposition to spanking? If we fail to drive out folly when it is relatively small and weak, it will grow like a weed, and harden like concrete, until it is almost impossible to brake.
“Do not withhold discipline from a child” (Pro. 23:13a). Parents who refuse to discipline their children, or are too lazy or too busy to discipline their children, are sinning. “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die” (Pro. 23:13). This is a word to tenderhearted parents who think that spanking is cruel and unusual punishment. If I can paraphrase, God is saying, “Come on, spank the kid for his rebellion, it won’t kill him.”
We can take this a step further, not only will proper discipline not kill a child, it will in fact deliver him from death—spiritual death. “If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol” (Pro. 23:14). Sheol is translated hell in the NKJV. This could be a reference to physical or spiritual death. I lean toward the latter since the concern is for the child’s soul. Consider one profound implication: Discipline is evangelistic; spanking is an evangelistic tool designed to deliver your child from the pit of hell. Consider why this is.
First, discipline teaches your children that God is the ultimate authority they need to answer to. You should tell your child that you are spanking them for their sinful behavior, because that is what God commands you to do, and you have to submit to God. You are not disciplining your children because they frustrate you or anger you, but because they have sinned against God, even if it’s by disrespecting or disobeying you. This teaches children that in our home we all live according to God’s word, and answer to him.
Second, discipline teaches your children that they are sinners. Nobody cries out for forgiveness from a Savior without an acute awareness of his sin. Discipline is a painful reminder to children that they are sinners; they are not angels.
Third, discipline teaches your children that sin is serious. We live in a culture that scoffs at sin. Sin is often presented as that which is tasty or fun. Your children will not suffer from such heresy if sin results in a sober, stinging spanking.
Fourth, discipline teaches your children that sin must be punished. Again, we can see that our culture is way off track. Many think that sin is no big deal, so they don’t see any reason for a punishment like hell for sin. Discipline helps children to see that God’s anger toward sin needs to be propitiated, turned aside. It gives them a greater appreciation for Jesus’ atoning work on the cross.
Fifth, discipline teaches your children that they need forgiveness. Discipline should include you or your child praying that God will forgive them for their sin. This shows your child that regardless of what people they have offended, first and foremost their sin offends God. It should also include thanking God for the death of Christ on the cross for their sin, which makes this forgiveness possible.
Sixth, discipline teaches your children that forgiveness is real. After you spank them and pray with them, remind them that they are forgiven. The principle of 1 John 1:9 should become like second nature: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And for this point to really hit home you have to treat them like they are forgiven.
Seventh, discipline teaches your children that they need God’s grace to live like Christians. The final petition in the prayer with your child should be for God to help the child overcome his sin. This will be a practical way to instruct your child that we cannot live as God is calling us to live without the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let Eli be a warning to us. The LORD said, “I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore, I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or burnt offering forever” (1 Sam. 3:13-14).
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