Should Christian parents physically discipline their children at times ?

[QuestionQuest74]

It’s advised in proverb’s don’t spare the rod so should we listen to this advice ?

 

[SabbathBlessings]

It’s advised in proverb’s don’t spare the rod so should we listen to this advice ?

Yes, but should always be calm and out of love and never abusive or out of anger. It should not be the first method of punishment either, it should be more last resort if nothing else works. I also believe this verse is referring to discipline in general, not just physical.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

It’s advised in proverb’s don’t spare the rod so should we listen to this advice ?

Maybe do some research when considering taking that rod. There is a very fine line between physical abuse and physical discipline. Proverbs is human advice. There are no laws in the Torah about child rearing. This is what Jesus Christ of Nazareth said :

10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

Something to read :

Resolution on Physical Discipline of Children by Parents

The goal of physical discipline is to reduce the recurrence of children’s undesirable behaviors and to increase the frequency of children’s desirable behaviors.

www.apa.org

It is important to note that when a parent strikes their child it comes from anger, not love. And that is a sin.

Blessings.

 

[Confused-by-christianity]

It’s advised in proverb’s don’t spare the rod so should we listen to this advice ?

If the proverbs means literally - take a rod and hit your children with it - then we should not listen to it.
If it means refine, guide and mentor children - then listen.

 

[Confused-by-christianity]

I never understood the hitting or shouting thing.

it's poor behaviour from parents - to teach children not to behave poorly ????

 

[Mercy Shown]

It’s advised in proverb’s don’t spare the rod so should we listen to this advice ?

I have always understood that to be a metaphor. I have never struck any of my children for there are ways much more effective than that to discipline. If a child needs physical violence to be corrected something has gone wrong earlier. But in communicating steadfast love consistently and applying firm non-violent discipline I believe one is fulfilling the admonition not to spare the rod.

 

[Lost4words]

If you bring up your children correctly, there should be no need at all to take your hand to that child. No what so ever.

Children should be treated with love and respect and taught correctly.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Yes, but should always be calm and out of love and never abusive or out of anger. It should not be the first method of punishment either, it should be more last resort if nothing else works. I also believe this verse is referring to discipline in general, not just physical.

There is such a thing as righteous anger...

We seem to be choosing between 'psychological science' and scripture on this issue.

The expression of righteous anger in society in general is being challenged, this is an attack on the very fabric of civilisation.

Authorities do not bare the sword for nothing - yet there can be corruption within them. Sort out the corruption, the sword is there for a legitimate reason.

Removing the right to discipline physically is not the answer.

In New Zealand child abuse has increased since the anti-smacking bill was passed and now we have the highest teen suicide rates in the OECD.

Just maybe the bible has it right on this issue.

I do not promote abusive parenting, but teaching consequences for actions with a smack has a legitimate place.

 

[com7fy8]

When I got punished, I just was more careful not to get caught by anyone I knew would punish me.

I know someone who learned to respect authority, after how his mother beat him.

But in marriage, he did not know how to relate. I think he has been through two divorces.

In the earlier scriptures, we see how God Himself judged and punished the Jews. And they would cry and be forgiven, then mess up again, get punished again. And surely God judged and punished them perfectly, including physically.

So, even God's own perfect physical punishing did not work.

The point is, without Jesus nothing can work.

 

[com7fy8]

It’s advised in proverb’s don’t spare the rod so should we listen to this advice ?

How about 1 Peter 5:3 with 1 Thessalonians 2:7&11?

What do you get from these scriptures?

 

[SabbathBlessings]

There is such a thing as righteous anger...

We seem to be choosing between 'psychological science' and scripture on this issue.

The expression of righteous anger in society in general is being challenged, this is an attack on the very fabric of civilisation.

Authorities do not bare the sword for nothing - yet there can be corruption within them. Sort out the corruption, the sword is there for a legitimate reason.

Removing the right to discipline physically is not the answer.

In New Zealand child abuse has increased since the anti-smacking bill was passed and now we have the highest teen suicide rates in the OECD.

Just maybe the bible has it right on this issue.

I do not promote abusive parenting, but teaching consequences for actions with a smack has a legitimate place.

Perhaps you misunderstood my post, I am not arguing against discipline, but I disagree we should discipline out of anger. If you are losing control of your emptions and disciplining your children in that manner, you already lost the battle as you are teaching your child to act out and have your emotions get the best of you instead of teaching them to control their emotions.

 

[WolfGate]

Are you asking "should" or "can"?

 

[Carl Emerson]

Perhaps you misunderstood my post, I am not arguing against discipline, but I disagree we should discipline out of anger. If you are losing control of your emptions and disciplining your children in that manner, you already lost the battle as you are teaching your child to act out and have your emotions get the best of you instead of teaching them to control their emotions.

Yes, I agree, but righteous anger does not involve a loss of control.

 

[Ivan Hlavanda]

It’s advised in proverb’s don’t spare the rod so should we listen to this advice ?

As someone who would get slapped as a child for lying or other reasons, trust me, I would think twice to do it again

 

[public hermit]

I never understood the hitting or shouting thing.

it's poor behaviour from parents - to teach children not to behave poorly ????

It is poor behavior. Shouting and hitting more often than not comes from the passions and not virtues. I was raised by parents that shouted and hit, I went to schools that shouted and hit, and it has taken significant effort on my part to unlearn those behaviors. Calm instruction is invaluable when backed up by a calm, virtuous example. Children watch adults, as I did, and learn a lot from what they see.

 

[tturt]

In elementary school,, a friend advised if you won't cry, it will be the last time you get spanked. Found this to be true.

Later learned spare the rod ... is first and foremost instructional. It means the rod of instruction. There's numerous ways to teach even with consequences without hitting.

 

[timothyu]

In spite of the fact some Christians glorify it, crucifixion should be left out as means of discipline.

 

[Sketcher]

Sure, when the offense and the child's development level call for it.

 

[timothyu]

and the child's development level call for it.

Meaning otherwise some may grow up in a fantasy world where being easily offended is the product of the day?

 

[Sketcher]

Meaning otherwise some may grow up in a fantasy world where being easily offended is the product of the day?

I won't exclude that possibility, but I won't insist on it.