Do you believe in spanking? (2)

[Droobie]

This thread was split automatically after 1000 replies and this thread has been automatically created.
The old thread automatically closed is here: "Do you believe in spanking?" (http://www.christianforums.com/t72321)

[homeschoolmama]

No I don't. Yet I confess I've done it and regret it. Please no flames. I won't flame anyone who does believe in it. More like a personal conviction. Very personal.

[micki70]

yes i do ,,,
the bible says spare the rod spoil the child
and looking today there are alot of spoiled children in the world
, but dont mot get me wrong i do not belive in abuse ,,at all
and our kids get many warnings before they get a whipping ,, an usually when the hickory comes out , they stop what they are doing that is wrong ..
micki

[DestinationHome]

No, we do not spank. You won't find "Spare the rod and spoil the child." in the Bible. That phrase is from a 17th century poem, Hudibras by Samuel Butler.

[homeschoolmama]

No, we do not spank. You won't find "Spare the rod and spoil the child." in the Bible. That phrase is from a 17th century poem, Hudibras by Samuel Butler.
Wow, I never knew that! Cool!

[KOTTMatt]

No, we do not spank. You won't find "Spare the rod and spoil the child." in the Bible. That phrase is from a 17th century poem, Hudibras by Samuel Butler.
Maybe the phrase isn't there. I don't know I'll have to look at it. but the idea is still there.
Proverbs 13:24 (New International Version)
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Anyways, i may not use the rod, but I may use a belt or just my hand. If I don't discipline my children, how else are they going to learn what they should and shouldn't do.

[homeschoolmama]

The word discipline means to disciple, or to teach. What are you teaching by hitting your child?

[KOTTMatt]

spanking isn't "hitting", well okay yeah it is but it's not like slapping them in the face. You think they'll learn not to do wrong by being sent to their room and thinking about what they've done. I waa spanked and sent to my room. and when I was sent to my room, i never thought about what I did. If my parents didn't spank me and only gave me a lecture then I probably be worse than what I am now.

BTW: I looked up discipline on dictionary.com and your definition isn't the only one. here's another:
3.punishment inflicted by way of correction and training.

Here's the link to it. it's the third definition.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/discipline

[pastel]

There are always much better ways to discipline your child than spanking. However, some children respond to talking it over, and some don't. If it leaves bruising, you shouldn't do it. With my kids, after multiple warnings would get a swat or two. Then after that all we had to do was threaten it, and they responded.

[KOTTMatt]

Hopefully i won't need to spank my children. my cousin only got spanked once and she learned her lesson and never got a spanking again.

[homeschoolmama]

Here's the definition from a children's dictionary:

Spank: to hit someone with an open hand or flat object, especially on the buttocks, as a punishment.

You can't deny that spanking is a type of hitting. Spanking just sounds better and alleviates the guilt.

[KOTTMatt]

I was spanked okay, that was how my parents disciplined me, they weren't abusing me but disciplining me out of love.

[homeschoolmama]

The road to hell is filled with good intentions.

[KOTTMatt]

I have absolutly no idea what you're talking about.

[homeschoolmama]

Just because you were spanked "in love" doesn't mean it was the right thing to do.

There are people from cults that come to my door from time to time and they really believe in what they're talking about. But you know what they are saying isn't true or right no matter how much they believe it.

You're 18 years old - why are you concerned about spanking? :confused:

[KOTTMatt]

Cause I hope to be a father one day that's why. My parents are amazing parents, and you know, I'm glad that they did punish me, because I'd be a snob right now and I'd probably be mean and hurt my parents.

[DestinationHome]

Maybe the phrase isn't there. I don't know I'll have to look at it. but the idea is still there.
Proverbs 13:24 (New International Version)
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Anyways, i may not use the rod, but I may use a belt or just my hand. If I don't discipline my children, how else are they going to learn what they should and shouldn't do.

It is a serious thing to misquote the Bible, though. You wind up with a world of errors. One word changed in John 1:1 changes Jesus from being God to being A god. If we're going to follow what the Bible says, we have to know what it says.

Now, regarding Proverbs 13:24, you have already admitted that you take the proverb figuratively. Otherwise, you would be hitting with a rod. "Rod" in this verse is in my understanding a symbol for authority. That authority is something that my husband and I do assert in our home.

I would suggest that your children might well learn what they should and shouldn't do by you teaching them. I don't think that sending kids to their room to figure it out by themselves works well. It doesn't make sense that it would. If I send my 6yo off to her room to figure out her math, she wouldn't learn it either. On the other hand, I couldn't spank it into her. I teach by example. I teach by instruction. I teach by grounding them in God's Word.

[homeschoolmama]

Great example, DestinationHome!

Today I asked my 9 year old to help put the groceries away. She wouldn't listen. She wouldn't do anything - like she ignored me. Turned out she didn't know what to do. So I showed her: I put out some things for her I knew she could put away from me (she has mild special needs, btw) and she did it. Simple as that. I know with how she responded at first, another parent would've spanked. But the truth is, this is how she responds, very aloof, "well I dont' know what to do anyway." It wasn't that she wasn't willing..let's just say empathy isn't always her strongest point.

It's better to get to the heart and figure out the whys and then deal with it than hurting them.

[ChaChynga]

Sure :thumbsup:
properly done

[coffeegal]

there are moments and times that yes i do spank. it is never by first choice.

[Followers4christ]

Just because you were spanked "in love" doesn't mean it was the right thing to do.

Lets see what the bible says about this subject:

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

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

Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

[San54]

Amen

[If Not For Grace]

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.


Let's use logic and reasoning with a 2 year old.....That will work (yeah right).

Spanking is not a "beating" or abusive behavior. A tap on the hand with the word "hot" to follow has saved many a child a burn.

PS. Some one some day is likely to discipline your child someday if you don't.

[gardenfairy]

This thread was split automatically after 1000 replies and this thread has been automatically created.
The old thread automatically closed is here: "Do you believe in spanking?" (http://www.christianforums.com/t72321)

No. There is no such command in the Bible. There was no such custom.

God never even commanded Israel to stone children. Deuteronomy 21:18-21 is typically taken out of context. The son stoned to death was a man of drinking age who was old enough to be a glutton and a drunkard. This is only a sin that adults can commit, not little children.

How about the "children" who taunted Elisha? They were not a child's age as we call children today. These were young adults who were taunting Elisha.

Children were cherished and loved, not hit or beaten, at least not because God commanded it.

Correction with a rod, is used because Christ is that rod and the people of Israel were told to talk about God morning noon and night to their children. To being them up in truth, so they wouldn't depart from God.

The rod of correction is truth! Not a stick to beat children with! Discipline your children in God's Word.
Violence is not discipline. It is abuse!

Correct your children with truth and wisdom, and use the time out system with rewards for good behavior instead of the cruel beatings. They are not little adults, they are just children. They are not evil, they are ignorant. They are not your slaves, they are God's children.

Take care of them as if they were a precious gift God had allowed you to have for a moment, for they are a precious being, who's soul has been entrusted into your care, and you must answer to God for ALL that you do to that soul! It's a heavy responsibility that should never be taken lightly. So many lives are ruined when the adults only think of themselves first. A parents selfishness corrupts their children.

The best way to be a good parent is to be a good example. Children are little mimics, and they will do what they see, not what they hear, up until their brain fully developes. I think that can be up until age 15 in some kids! They need to be protected from evil influences that could corrupt them, since they are easily influenced.

It's funny really. There are quite a few adults that should be spanked perhaps for being such horrible parents! They ruin their kids by not being the kind of parent that their child needs, and then when they child acts up the parent hits the child! That's abuse! On two accounts!

[TCat]

There are also a great many children running around whose parents feel that swatting their butts is to damaging for their precious little darlings and simply talking to them, reasoning with them and diverting them will be enough to teach them proper behavior. Of course these are the kids who are screaming and swearing and throwing fits in stores and ruining peoples dinners in resturants.

I agree, parents selfishness corrupts their children! And the rest of society pays the price for lack of strong firm discipline!

[homeschoolmama]

The Bible talks of the rod of discipline not FOR discipline. What are you teaching your child by hitting them? The rod is meant for parental authority, not to literally hurt your child with.

If a child hits another child, it's a hit. (even if it's out of 'discipline') If a man hits a woman, it's a hit. If a parent hits a child, it's called spanking.

I've seen kids who are afraid of their parents because the parents "spank" them. I've seen wild kids who are spanked as well. It's not just the non-spankers whose kids get wild. Some do have special needs and no amount of hitting them in the world will get their attention. Kids don't understand "why is mommy hitting me." They know there's no difference between spanking and hitting. Saying you spank just alleviates the guilt. :(

[gardenfairy]

There are also a great many children running around whose parents feel that swatting their butts is to damaging for their precious little darlings and simply talking to them, reasoning with them and diverting them will be enough to teach them proper behavior. Of course these are the kids who are screaming and swearing and throwing fits in stores and ruining peoples dinners in resturants.

I agree, parents selfishness corrupts their children! And the rest of society pays the price for lack of strong firm discipline!

Why do you harbor such anger towards the kids? There is something much more complex going on, and it starts with the parents.

Society pays a price indeed when there is so much abuse going on and no one even bats an eye.

Hitting a child and disciplining a child are two very different things.

Dogs and cats have an understanding of up to age 2 and 3 of a human child.
My mom is an animal trainer, but it's the humans she trains *lol*.
Some think that hitting their pets and dragging them on the ends of their leashes will work. It's amazing to me how stubborn we humans can be to keep on doing the wrong things over and over again even though those things are proven to fail.
No wonder God said that man is as an animal. It is true. We are no different when we continue to act without understanding.

I've seen vicious, fearful animals, who were going to be "put down", because their human owners didn't have any understanding. These same animals: cats and dogs and horses etc.., had a complete turn around in their behavior once they were involved in a method called Tellington Touch. It is a method which causes the animal to think and not just react. There is no yanking, no hitting, no zapping devices.

If a human lashes out in anger at their pet, the pet will come to fear them (and all humans), and not respect you, but will either run from you or bite someone out of fear. This is why so many pets end up at shelters and eventually euthenized (sp?)

The same happens with children: When a parent hits a child they see you as being out of control, because the majority hit their children once they (the parents) have reached the pinnacle of their anger.

No discipline is being seen by the child, nor by your pets, what they see is you, completely out of control and insane. Anger is a form of insanity, because humans are not God and not righteous. Our "punishments" through hitting borders on the emotions of murder, and is abusive.

Reminds me of the saying that was common amongst parents for many years, but I don't know that many use it today, perhaps they do:
"I brought you into this world. I can take you out as well."

You can???? I don't think God would agree with you. That would be murder, and a murderer is to be put to death.
This is how the devil gets a foothold on us: through our out-of-control emotions and lack of wisdom and understanding. One of the Fruits of the Spirit is self-control. "...and with all thy getting get wisdom and understanding..."

Christ said that sin doesn't start with the act, but the thought. Thoughts always lead to action.

You must show your children (and your pets) self-control.

Christ never spanked His disciples *lol* You might say, well yeah, but they were adults. Well, technically yes, but He called them children, because to Him we are children. What did he do to discipline us? He used truth. He was trying to get us to use our gray matter.
Disciple means disciplined. Disciplined in what? The word of God.

Okay, then you might say, well what about how He went after the money changers? Well, if you read it carefully you will see that He never hit anyone. He knocked over the tables though, and chased them out. But these people weren't His disciples. Do you see?

Over and over again Jesus TAUGHT the crowd and His disciples. He taught them what? The word of God. That is discipline. The parent must be disciplined themselves before they will be able to discipline a child or anyone else.

The greatest leader is the servant of all. Not a tyrannical, out-of-control egomaniac.

Spanking children is one of man's traditions, and it's a pretty horrible one too.
Anger and hitting are a lack of self-control. You are then disobeying God.

Being a parent is not a right, it's a privilage. There are a lot of people who should'nt be parents. In everything God gives you there is a lesson to be learned about how He relates to us, and how He sees us, and we are to learn and become disciplined through our understanding of what He teaches us.

Many man-made religions that call themselves by the name of Christ paint a picture of God as being the one with the red suit and the pitch fork. They portray God as thinking, "I wonder who I'm going to have to zap today?"
This is all a bunch of nonsense. God isn't like that. We are in the disspensation of grace. God is full of mercy because He understands our weaknesses. He forgives us completely when we sincerely repent. This is our time of testing. He is purifying us as silver. This is what we should discipline our children with: truth. Bring them up in truth while they are still very young and they won't depart from the Lord. As Christians we are called to be mature. I think, only when we are spiritually mature can we be of any use to a child.

Man attributes the act of committing sin as obeying God's commands so they can get away with murder.

[homeschoolmama]

Amen and Amen!

It's a sad world we live in. People treat their animals better than they treat their kids.

Are there any Jewish people out there or Messian Jewish people who could shed some light here? Do you take the verses in the Bible to mean you should spank/hit to discipline your kids?

Discipline is not about being hit for doing something wrong. It's about being corrected. Nobody likes to be told they are wrong. Nobody likes to be redirected when they are told they're doing the wrong thing. Sometimes we do take it better than other times. Kids do too. And you have to redirect them over and over.

That why things like Math, etc. are the same thing over and over. So the child gets it. To help them. Repetition works when it comes to learning your ABC's. How many of you can sing the Alphabet Song in your sleep? *me raising my hand* And my kids are past the Sesame Street stuff. The same goes for discipline. Over and over we tell them to pick up their clothes, to use your mouth for eating not biting, etc. And sometimes it does mean to take them out of the store, etc so they can calm down where it's more private or in the fresh air..take them away from the environment temporarily so they can deal with things better.

[TCat]

I believe the OP question was Do You Believe In Spanking? My answer is yes, I do believe that at times a firm swat on the rump is in order to inforce discipline and command the attention of wayard children. Not abuse, not beating, but firm corporall punishment.
I also work with pets on a daily basis, and I have worked, at times as trainer, and while I agree that hitting is not ok I also know that firm, hands on, physical domination is natures order, and quiet appropriate in certain situations.
To suggest that anyone who taps a butt is an abuser is absurd. I also see from the poll that most people do believe in spanking, probably for the same reasons I mentioned.

[homeschoolmama]

That doesn't mean most people in our country or in the world believe in it. And it doesn't mean spanking is right. Just a handful of people on this board believe in it. If you were to go to gentlechristianmothers.com - it's a gentle parenting board, the majority would be much different than here.

[mylass]

Yes, I believe in spanking, but don't leave marks on the child...then that's abuse :thumbsup:

[TCat]

That doesn't mean most people in our country or in the world believe in it. And it doesn't mean spanking is right. Just a handful of people on this board believe in it. If you were to go to gentlechristianmothers.com - it's a gentle parenting board, the majority would be much different than here.

I would respectfully suggest that the majority of parents in the world would agree that although spanking is a last resort it has it's place in the arsenal of parenting tools and used judicously can be an appropiate discipline technique.

I would also suggest that if spanking is offensive to some parents they should find other methods of discipline that work for their families. Unfortunately to often we see in the media and in public extremes on both ends of the spectrum. Parents who are beating their precious little ones in anger and frustration and parents who are pleading and whining at their children to behave without results.

I have spanked in the past and will certainly do so in the future.

[halfbuiltrobot]

We use the threat of a smack on the bum as a last resort punishment.
For example we have a naughty step and if you leave the step then the threat of a smack is there.......i believe the threat woks just fine

However as my mum used to say bottoms are for sitting on and smacking.
but never anywhere else on the body should be permitted.

[homeschoolmama]

TCat, Just because you believe in spanking and some here do that doesn't mean the world majority does as a tool. I can't stop you from hitting/spanking your kids. But I am going to continue to not spank mine. And they aren't spoiled either. I want my kids to learn to obey from the heart and not out of fear.

[lyonguard]

Yes I do.

[JPPT1974]

Only when they are really, really, behaving really badly!

[Hisbygrace]

Yes I do believe in spanking, but not beating, there is a very distinctive difference there. As others have stated, God's word tells us to spare the rod is to hate your child.

[homeschoolmama]

The rod is for discipline - meant as a symbol of authority. I don't hate my kids. God knows that.

And if you look closely, it's talking to a teenager. It doesn't say anything about spanking a 2 year old.

[LammyPammy]

... Of course these are the kids who are screaming and swearing and throwing fits in stores and ruining peoples dinners in resturants.

I agree, parents selfishness corrupts their children! And the rest of society pays the price for lack of strong firm discipline!

As a seasoned social worker and a mom, I must interject here TCat, very OFTEN these out of control children are abused children. No doubt about it. They are either not disciplined/taught or are abused. So yes, children that are acting like that are a result of the parent's selfishness, ignorance or, sadly, the repetition of abuse that they endured.

My thoughts in general: :preach:

It really does take a massive amount of time, energy and commitment to teach our kids how to respect environments, property, themselves and others. All too often I see parents using "spankings" because it is easier and they are not up for the work of repetitive teaching. I am sure that the Lord did not say, "If you just don't feel like teaching your kids today, spank them."

That said, do I "believe" in spanking? I have a hard time using that language in reference to striking a child... I believe in Jesus, after all. My oldest son is 24 years old, I spanked him 3 times total. Over clothes, one swat. I don't think I really new what I was doing, I spanked him when I was in a panic. I was young too.

My youngest son today is 8 and I have spanked him 2 times, both of those times he was between the ages of 4 and 6. With him I was more deliberate and educated about what I was doing and it was not in a panic or dealing with any of my own emotional stuff. I don’t like spanking and didn’t want to do it, but I tried it and it was effective. So I think it can be effective, but I’m more for doing the hard and dirty work of day-in-day-out teaching and good parenting.

Too often I have seen parents use spanking as a way to be lazy and avoid the unpleasantness of hard work. I have seen parents stand behind the Bible to justify their own irresponsibility, as a correction to problems that they created in the child, and as a way to feel “holy” and self righteous. Unfortunately, I have also seen spanking used as a perversion in Christian homes or as a means to lust or a prelude to molestation.

It is a very risky action that requires it be done, if at all, with the fruits of the Spirit and with a prayerful attitude. I often wonder how many times we adults are given grace by the Lord instead of the "strong firm discipline!" Do we learn to extend grace as He does?

IMHO If we are to be more like Christ than we must extend more grace while pointing out and helping our children endure the natural consequences of poor decisions. Just as Our Father does. Consequences are what the Lord uses all the time. How much would we have not learned, if instead of a consequence, He just hit us?


Lammy

[homeschoolmama]

Well said, Lammy! :thumbsup:

[Texas Lynn]

I can't say defintiely yes or no. With our kids we did maybe 10x with the older one and 25x with the younger, but never after age 5, or before age 2, more or less.

I would have to say it is totally inappropriate after about age 7-8 maximum and anybody who has done it more than once a week might should consider relinquishing their parental rights. Anybody who does it to a teenager and the teenager fights back deserves everything they get and more.

I don't believe in "Hell" in the conservative evangelical sense so I'll caveat the following to say it's metaphorical only: there is a special place in 'hell" for preachers and teachers who advocate physical punishment of children. These educated antsocial personalities are indirectly responsible for much of the child abuse that occurs.

[timbo81]

yep,I got spanked as child, didn't hurt me

[Texas Lynn]

yep,I got spanked as child, didn't hurt me

With what?

[christian78]

Well after being on the receiving end of it a several years back years back, I think it is necessary. You see a lot of kids these days that have no respect for anybody. I think that has to do with some parents letting them do what they want and letting their kids raise themselves. Just how I see it.

[Texas Lynn]

Considering how research has shown other methods of discipline are more effective there is not really any support for the notion spanking is somehow "necessary".

[TCat]

From the state of society and it's moral decline I can't help but think that if more parents took their jobs seriously as parents and effectively disciplined their children in a variety ways including, if necessary, spanking we would be much better as a whole.

[Ghostwalker]

Absolutely

Ghost

[homeschoolmama]

I don't think hurting a child is a necessity. I don't believe for a second it promotes respect for authority, but moreso it promotes resentment because you hurt them.

What kids need is to be taught good moral values, from the Bible, and to see that example in our own lives. They imitate what they see and the same also goes with spanking. I've seen a little boy "spank" his sister, telling her "Mommy says not to do that!"

A parent can honestly say "don't hit your sister" especially when the parent doesn't hit them. "We do hugs, not hurts in our home."

Respect doesn't come from hurting them. It comes from showing them respect and from teaching them the right way to behave and modeling it.

[DefenderOfJesus]

Hey,
Would Jesus ever spank a kid....? NEVER

[gardenfairy]

As a seasoned social worker and a mom, I must interject here TCat, very OFTEN these out of control children are abused children. No doubt about it. They are either not disciplined/taught or are abused. So yes, children that are acting like that are a result of the parent's selfishness, ignorance or, sadly, the repetition of abuse that they endured.

My thoughts in general: :preach:


Yes, this is exactly true. I'm glad you mentioned this.



It really does take a massive amount of time, energy and commitment to teach our kids how to respect environments, property, themselves and others. All too often I see parents using "spankings" because it is easier and they are not up for the work of repetitive teaching. I am sure that the Lord did not say, "If you just don't feel like teaching your kids today, spank them."


So true :(



That said, do I "believe" in spanking? I have a hard time using that language in reference to striking a child... I believe in Jesus, after all. My oldest son is 24 years old, I spanked him 3 times total. Over clothes, one swat. I don't think I really new what I was doing, I spanked him when I was in a panic. I was young too.

My youngest son today is 8 and I have spanked him 2 times, both of those times he was between the ages of 4 and 6. With him I was more deliberate and educated about what I was doing and it was not in a panic or dealing with any of my own emotional stuff. I don’t like spanking and didn’t want to do it, but I tried it and it was effective. So I think it can be effective, but I’m more for doing the hard and dirty work of day-in-day-out teaching and good parenting.


:thumbsup:



Too often I have seen parents use spanking as a way to be lazy and avoid the unpleasantness of hard work. I have seen parents stand behind the Bible to justify their own irresponsibility, as a correction to problems that they created in the child, and as a way to feel “holy” and self righteous. Unfortunately, I have also seen spanking used as a perversion in Christian homes or as a means to lust or a prelude to molestation.


Another sad but true facts :(

People who ran the "Christian school" that my mom attended as a little girl, used to spank the children! They had no right! They were not the parents!
And the male teachers loved to spank the little girls and older girls :sick:

I know some adults now who were abused sexually that started out it just being a spanking. :mad:

God equates rape to murder. The people who sexually abuse children should get the death penalty.




It is a very risky action that requires it be done, if at all, with the fruits of the Spirit and with a prayerful attitude. I often wonder how many times we adults are given grace by the Lord instead of the "strong firm discipline!" Do we learn to extend grace as He does?


Exactly :amen:

Why is it that a thing commonly held by most adults is to not respect someone just because they are younger? They don't respect their space, their bodies, etc... The adult looks down on them and lords it over them. Exactly what Christ said we shouldn't do. No one is greater than anyone else in the body of Christ. Some adults act more like children than the children do! IMHO

Egos must go. Christ said that the greatest of all was the servant of all.
Wise leaders are to serve the younger and ignorant. Not to assume they are better because they are leaders. To be a leader is a privilage not a right!

If you want respect you have to show respect. Respect is not butt-kissing. It is love. And love is taught through discipline not hitting.





IMHO If we are to be more like Christ than we must extend more grace while pointing out and helping our children endure the natural consequences of poor decisions. Just as Our Father does. Consequences are what the Lord uses all the time. How much would we have not learned, if instead of a consequence, He just hit us?


Lammy


Exactly! Great Post! :thumbsup:

[gardenfairy]

Considering how research has shown other methods of discipline are more effective there is not really any support for the notion spanking is somehow "necessary".

So true :thumbsup:

[Ghostwalker]

No, we do not spank. You won't find "Spare the rod and spoil the child." in the Bible. That phrase is from a 17th century poem, Hudibras by Samuel Butler.

Wow, I never knew that! Cool!


Easy-to-read version: Pr 23:13 Always punish a child if it needs it. It will not hurt him to spank him. Gods Word: 23:13 Do not hesitate to discipline a child. If you spank him, he will not die. Easy-to-read translation: 23:14 If you spank him, you may save his life. God's Word: 23:14 Spank him yourself, and you will save his soul from hell.

[gardenfairy]

Easy-to-read version: Pr 23:13 Always punish a child if it needs it. It will not hurt him to spank him. Gods Word: 23:13 Do not hesitate to discipline a child. If you spank him, he will not die. Easy-to-read translation: 23:14 If you spank him, you may save his life. God's Word: 23:14 Spank him yourself, and you will save his soul from hell.

Sorry, there is no such word in the original Hebrew, and no such meaning.
"Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die."
Proverbs 23:13

It is interesting what this word can mean in Hebrew, and it's rather violent too! However, because the 'rod' is Christ, Who IS Truth, then we know that these things are to be taken figuratively, not literally. As the word itself can be taken either way.
#5221, nakah- a prim. root: to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively):- beat, cast forth, clap, give [wounds], x go forward x indeed, kill, make [slaughter], murderer, punish, slaughter, slay (-er, -ing), smite (-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, x surely, wound.

And as 23:14 states: it will deliver his soul from hell. Well, there is only One I know of Who can do that! The Christ.

Someone on here had this saying in their signature, and I think it is appropriate here:

Quote from Martin Luther.... We know from experience that those youths most strictly reared are, when given liberty, more wicked than young men less rigidly brought up. So impossible is it to improve human nature with commandments and punishments; something else is necessary.


Yes, something else is necessary: Christ. Teach your children Truth, do not beat them. Christ's stripes were enough don't you think?

Beat Truth into their minds, and then they shall not die, and their soul will be delivered from hell. :holy:

[bill'swife]

Yes, we do.

[Yarddog]

This thread was split automatically after 1000 replies and this thread has been automatically created.
The old thread automatically closed is here: Do you believe in spanking?
Hi Droobie,

I must say that I abhor the idea of spanking but I know that there are times when it becomes necessary. I think that I spanked my son less than 10 times.(he is 17 now)

I always felt that giving the proper kind of love was a better way of disciplining him, and it seems to have worked out fairly good, so far at least.

When a child knows that his parents truely love him, he is far easier to guide. He wants to please his parents. Of course, every kid is different and what worked for me may not work for another's situation.

Yarddog