Spank Your Children

I want to look into what the Bible says about disciplining children, but let's consider this verse first, "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How  blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies at the gate." So always remember when interacting with your child that no matter what he or she does, they are a blessing and a reward. Amen.

The idea of this verse also is that there is strength in numbers. So the more kids you have, the stronger your family can become.  Of course back then that meant protection from physical enemies.  Now it could mean protection from Satan, because the more good people you have in your life praying for you and encouraging you, the safer you will be from Satan's attacks.  And someday your kids will pray for and encourage you, after you go through the hard work of making them into model and respectful citizens.  And how do you do that?  Well let's look at what the Bible says for how you can do that. :)

Proverbs 13:24 "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."

Psychiatrists say that medication is the solution for your child being out of control.  They like to label them as ADD and ADHD and get them on Adderall or Ritalin, but that will only cause more problems.  One problem is that it usually gives them more of an interest in drugs and leads to them experimenting with illegal drugs a lot.  The other issue is there are many physical side effects that can mess up their health for life.  But the Bible says physical discipline from YOU, the parent, is the solution, not meds.

I understand why many parents don't spank their kids now, because they are worried about others thinking they are abusing their child.  There are cases of child abuse, of course, but the key is to be in the middle.  Value your children, love them, don't abuse them, but don't let them do whatever they want either, because that is not love.

This verse says if you don't spank your child you actually hate them.  Why?  Because then you don't care about what kind of person he or she will become.  To not care about the formation of their character is to hate them.  It takes a lot of hard work to be consistent in punishment and correction, but it is well worth the effort.  If you want a kid who won't end up in jail or failing classes or getting arrested, spank them any time they challenge your authority.  But some exceptions, I think, are when they are just tired or hungry.  Then you mainly just need to give them food or a nap.  But if they are ok on that and are defying you just to defy you, you definitely need to spank them.  Some do this with a hand and some with a spoon etc.  It's up to you, but either way it's important and you need to do it. Why? Because even though it hurts them for a bit, later on it will result in righteous living on their part. Praise God!

Hebrews 12:11 says, "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."  Amen. :)

Here are more verses on the importance of spanking your children.  May God bless you all and your children and grand children! :)

Proverbs 23:13-15 "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 Hell."

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:15 "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him."

Ephesians 6:4 "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

This means don't spank your kids too much or yell at them too much or they may turn out to be very angry kids with more behavior issues.

Proverbs 29:17 "Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart."

Proverbs 29:15 "The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother."

Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Proverbs 12:1 "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."

Hebrews 12:5-11 "And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?"

Proverbs 13:1 "A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke."

Proverbs 15:5 "A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent."

Amen :) May God bless you all!