Dare To Discipline

A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,but physical discipline will drive it far away.

Proverbs 22:15

Discipline, correction, punishment—all of these are unpopular concepts in our society.

Years ago I took a psychology class. One day the teacher walked into the classroom and threw a book against the wall. The book was Dare to Discipline, by Dr. James Dobson. This teacher thought and taught his students that it was outrageous for parents to inflict their values of right and wrong on their children. But Dobson states, “Discipline and love are not antithetical; one is a function of the other. The parent must convince himself that [loving discipline] is not something he [or she] does to the child; it is something he does for the child.”

Jon Courson states, “Regardless of what psychologists say in any era, God’s Word specifically tells us that a child’s heart is inherently, innately in need of correction.”

Young parents are often shocked to discover that their precious little one has a temper at a very early age. No one needs to teach a child to be stubborn or selfish or defiant. Our proverb tells us this foolishness is bound in his or her heart. If you look around, you’ll see that not only two-year-olds throw tantrums, but some are still doing so at twenty-two and even sixty-two. Yikes.

Back to Dobson’s book Dare to Discipline—I highly recommend it. It’s especially geared toward parents raising small children. If you didn’t grow up in a home where there was firm, loving discipline, it’s hard to even know what that looks like. Dr. Dobson shares insights that are loving, wise, and down to earth.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Do you question why it is important to believe and apply the wisdom of God instead of following the whims of the latest psychology trend? God’s wisdom is timeless. God alone knows the inner working of a child’s soul; he made us. He knows that a child without training and boundaries often struggles with self-discipline and boundaries in adult life.

“While yielding to the loving leadership of their parents, children are also learning to yield to the benevolent leadership of God Himself” (James Dobson in The Strong-Willed Child).

One Year Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 1:1–3:22; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 22:15