A Parent Loves The Child He Chastens, and Children Respect a Parent Who Is In Control
by David Powell

This is true of children of any era: they will lack respect because it is not demanded of them. It is the nature of a child to be curious, test the limits, grow evermore to be independent, and yes, even to be rebellious. It is especially true today since modern parents have been convinced that limiting their children in any way is bad. Failing to set limits for children is failing in a parents basic responsibility. Failing to administer punishment when those limits are violated is neglect.

Physical neglect is just as wrong, but reasonable people do not have to be convinced of that fact. There are always extremes. Some want to throw out the baby with the bath water. Because some parents discipline wrongly or too harshly or are just plain abusive does not make good and needed correction wrong!

If I fail to correct my child and discipline him, I have neglected him. He will grow up to be a miserable person and a menace to others. Our children need to know there are consequences to their actions. They need to learn about tolerance and mercy, but we have forgotten justice and respect.

How will a child learn respect for authority? By first honoring father and mother (Ephesians 6:1-2). Don't hope or ask for it, demand it! Live before them so as to deserve it, respect is earned not bought. (The video game people won't like this.) A child also needs to know that a parents words of warning will be backed up by physical correction if need be. This must be planned, thought out, and discussed with the child. Proverbs 22:15 says "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him." The key to moderation and balance is found in Proverbs 23:13-14. "Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell." One who would injure or harm a child with punishment is in error and should themselves be punished. One who will not correct a child also needs to be corrected.

Children do not always accept or understand logical reasoning. A swat on the bottom each of us could understand as a child! There are other forms of good and corrective punishment, but when a child is defiant and flagrantly refuses to comply with a parents verbal correction it is time for physical correction. Once again, not abuse, but loving discipline. I saw a good bumper sticker that said, "they took spanking out of the schools and our jails filled up". Is it any wonder? When children do not learn respect for authority, then they will become adults who do not respect authority.

God, our Father is the great example. "For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives... Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?" (Hebrews 12:6&9)

Do you love your children? Do not fail to provide for them. Do not fail to correct them in a manner appropriate for each situation. Do not fail in loving them.