I don’t read anywhere where Jesus disciplined someone with a rod, inflicting pain as a means of correction or punishment. He refused to throw stones at the #woman caught in adultery. He told Peter to put the centurion’s ear back on he had cut off. In the temple, he made a whip and “drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables.” Jesus reprimanded them and explained that his house, is a house of prayer. When the soldiers and the people hit and spat on him, he forgave them. He could have easily picked up a belt and beat the _____ out of them. But would it really have been effective?
#Spare the rod, and spoil the child, is used by many to justify the use of physical force to teach or discipline a child to behave. #Spanking a child is quick and easy. It uses fear and not love to change a child’s behavior. It shows the small child that you’re bigger and you have physical control over them. But are you teaching them to be like Jesus—loving, kind, patient, forgiving? In other words, are you teaching them to develop the fruits of the spirit?
Fast forward a few years, do you pick up a belt and spank them when they come in late, lie, don’t do their homework, or their chores? Can you put a child that is the same size as you, or bigger over your knee and discipline them with a rod?
I think sparing the rod, is actually a metaphor for explaining that children need to be disciplined by following in the footsteps of Jesus. As a child, when he lingered and taught in the temple, his parents were wise enough to ponder his words about being about his Father’s business. His parents didn’t accuse him of talking back to adults or spank him because he didn’t keep up with them.
If you want your child to grow up and be about our Father’s business, then we must exercise wisdom and ask God for guidance in parenting them. One of the best ways to discipline a child is to be an example of love, forgiveness, kindness, patience, and self-control.
Does your child see you exercise patience or forgiveness with your spouse? When you can’t get your way, do you have an adult temper tantrum? You want your child to eat all their vegetables, but do you eat healthy, or are you feeding them fast food? Do you exercise regularly? Are you disciplined to turn the TV off and read a book that will empower you to be a better person?
The more empowered we are, the more empowered our children will become. When we demonstrate the fruits of the spirit by applying the rod of correction, that is, God’s Word, in our lives, our children will be disciplined accordingly. When we exercise the same love that drew us to Christ, our children will be disciplined and drawn to the love of Christ that they see reflected in our lives.
You are loved, capable, intelligent, beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving father. #God’s will is that you and your children have an abundant, healthy and fulfilled life. Please show your support of this post by liking, commenting, following me, and brightening someone’s day by sharing it with them.
With lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
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