The Rod of Correction

Someone at some point has said to you, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” None of us liked hearing this as children, and some of us still aren’t all that fond of it as parents. What does the bible actually say about this topic?

Proverbs 29: 15-17

The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall. Discipline your son, and he will give you peace.

There it is, right here in the bible. These are the proverbs of Solomon, the man who, when offered anything he desired from God, requested wisdom. God’s wisdom, through Solomon, gives us clear instruction in this matter. If simply knowing is not enough to motivate us in this area, take a look at the following.

1Samuel 3:11-14

And the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family- from beginning to end. For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”

Now, we know that all sins are forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ. This is good, as we all make mistakes from time to time and would rather not experience the pain of death or the eternity in hell that would follow. Praise the Lord, that the burden of this punishment has been taken from our shoulders through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

What this does not mean, is that we are excused from our responsibilities as parents. We have to stand firm on the principles laid out for us in the bible. This is the Word of God. We don’t get to change it, or pick and choose what we are going to follow. God said it, and we have to do it.

We are not to “pick” at our children and drive them to frustration. Read “Who’s the Boss?” for more, on that matter. What we are to do is keep our children in line according to His word. God’s direction to them is clear in the fifth commandment and is echoed in Colossians with a little something extra for the parents.

Colossians 3:20-21

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children or they will become discouraged.

Parents, remember that it is our job to instruct and correct our children. We want them to grow up to be strong and upright. Our children are the arrows in our quiver that we have been given to shoot at the enemy. We want those arrows to be straight rather than bent and crooked. These are the children of the Lord and should be raised as such.