August 16, 2022

Proverbs 13:24 (HCSB)
24 The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 19:18 (HCSB)
18 Discipline your son while there is hope; don’t be intent on killing him.

Cliff Bynum
Parents who love their children seek diligently to apply the best and most appropriate method of discipline. In some cases that is the rod, which is appropriate punishment for the “fool.” Only a parent who hates his child would withhold discipline and permit him to remain a “fool,” knowing that foolishness leads to misery, shame, and ultimately death.  I remember as a child my mother saying, “This hurts me more, than it does you.” At the time, I thought, “Yeah right! You are not the one getting spanked.” Now as a parent, I understand what she meant. It is never fun having to discipline our children but at times, it is necessary. If discipline is not taught and reinforced at an early age, children will struggle with honoring their mother and father.  In your daily prayer, pray that God will give you the courage to stand strong when discipline is necessary, and hope for your children to understand why.

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