Discipline

To discipline a child produces wisdom,but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

Proverbs 29:15

The 1990 movie Home Alone with Macaulay Culkin is a classic illustration of today’s proverb. Truly, a child left to himself is a disaster waiting to happen. Children need boundaries—wise, loving boundaries.

A few years ago there were flash floods in the Midwest. Two young boys hopped on their bikes and rode down to see the raging river. But they had no idea how powerful floodwater can be. They got too close and the river swept them away. Were those kids in the habit of going where they wanted, when they wanted, without permission or supervision? Had they gone places before—dangerous places—and not been disciplined?

Right now, it is hard to imagine a more morally dangerous time for children to grow up. Parents, don’t kid yourselves. Dark music, violent video games, computer access to pornography, drugs, experimenting with sex, strangers in chat rooms lure them in and can sweep them away. Children have no way of discerning the dangers or understanding the consequences. Some of these are so wicked and serious that just one experience can change their life forever.

So moms, don’t be ashamed to discipline your children today. If necessary, give them tough love, because if you don’t, you might be brokenhearted tomorrow.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Corrective discipline is something we never grow out of the need for. For discipline to be effective, the boundaries need to be understood. Unfortunately we often have to learn from our mistakes. My sister constructed an electric fence to keep her dogs out of the flower beds. Her verbal commands went unheeded. A sharp, harmless shock got the message across. Is God cruel when he allows pain as part of our consequence for sin? Pain will not kill you. Sin will.

“For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. . . . No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way” (Hebrews 12:6-7, 11).

One Year Bible Reading

Hosea 10:1–14:9; Jude 1:1-25; Psalm 127:1-5; Proverbs 29:15-17