From the Principal’s Desk
Dear Parents,
A verse I often use in the conversation of parenting is Proverbs 29:15: “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Here Solomon says that the combination of discipline and instruction are necessary for a child ultimately to gain wisdom, the ability to properly apply the truth of God’s Word to life. These two words give specifics as to the physical and verbal training children must receive. The rod refers to corporal punishment. Without it, a child will not be turned from his own way, and wisdom is systematically precluded from entering into the child. To put it simply, withhold the rod, and withhold wisdom.
But the second word reproof is equally important. This is the verbal part of the training. The Hebrew word has the idea of giving evidence. It can also be translated rebuke, correction, reasoning, and argument. The word has a forensic sense, meaning that a reproof is a declaration that a particular behavior is wrong, but also why it is wrong. In other words, it has proof behind the allegations.
Another very interesting aspect of this word is that it is associated with both instruction and decision. Hence, a scriptural reproof declares irrefutably that something is wrong, but it also calls on the person to turn from his errant way to go the way of righteousness. For instance, Proverbs 1:23 says, “Turn you at my reproof.” Later in Proverbs Solomon says “A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent” (Pro. 15:5). Verse 32 of the same chapter says, “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”
When a parent gives a scriptural reproof at the misbehavior of his child, he lays out exactly why the behavior is wrong and then calls upon the child to turn from that sinful way to do right. What he is leading his child to do is repent of that sin. II Corinthians 7:10-11 give a wonderful and thorough picture of repentance, including sorrow over the ungodly conduct, a diligence to do right, a distancing from the wrong, a desire for restored relationships, and a willingness to receive deserved discipline.
What I see so often with parents when they deal with their children about misbehavior (sin) is that they do not attach the child’s sin to God as rebellion against God. They don’t view the sin as being against God, as a dreadful violation of God’s Word. As a result, there is no real press for the child to turn away from sin and toward righteousness. There may be a sorrow over the consequences of the sin, but not a sorrow over the conduct. Truly saved parents, on the other hand, can lead their children toward repentance because they themselves have turned away in humility from their sin.
When dealing with your children about disobedience, make sure that the action is indeed a violation of God’s Word. Then point it out to your children. Use Scripture. This pricks the conscience and instructs the thinking, both of which lead a child to conversion. After you have administered the spanking, ask the child if he is going to obey. You are looking for his agreement to do right, an attitude of cooperation, and then action that fulfills your command. This is the full picture of what it means to use the rod and reproof.
Sincerely,
Pastor Sutton
Dear Parents,
A verse I often use in the conversation of parenting is Proverbs 29:15: “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Here Solomon says that the combination of discipline and instruction are necessary for a child ultimately to gain wisdom, the ability to properly apply the truth of God’s Word to life. These two words give specifics as to the physical and verbal training children must receive. The rod refers to corporal punishment. Without it, a child will not be turned from his own way, and wisdom is systematically precluded from entering into the child. To put it simply, withhold the rod, and withhold wisdom.
But the second word reproof is equally important. This is the verbal part of the training. The Hebrew word has the idea of giving evidence. It can also be translated rebuke, correction, reasoning, and argument. The word has a forensic sense, meaning that a reproof is a declaration that a particular behavior is wrong, but also why it is wrong. In other words, it has proof behind the allegations.
Another very interesting aspect of this word is that it is associated with both instruction and decision. Hence, a scriptural reproof declares irrefutably that something is wrong, but it also calls on the person to turn from his errant way to go the way of righteousness. For instance, Proverbs 1:23 says, “Turn you at my reproof.” Later in Proverbs Solomon says “A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent” (Pro. 15:5). Verse 32 of the same chapter says, “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”
When a parent gives a scriptural reproof at the misbehavior of his child, he lays out exactly why the behavior is wrong and then calls upon the child to turn from that sinful way to do right. What he is leading his child to do is repent of that sin. II Corinthians 7:10-11 give a wonderful and thorough picture of repentance, including sorrow over the ungodly conduct, a diligence to do right, a distancing from the wrong, a desire for restored relationships, and a willingness to receive deserved discipline.
What I see so often with parents when they deal with their children about misbehavior (sin) is that they do not attach the child’s sin to God as rebellion against God. They don’t view the sin as being against God, as a dreadful violation of God’s Word. As a result, there is no real press for the child to turn away from sin and toward righteousness. There may be a sorrow over the consequences of the sin, but not a sorrow over the conduct. Truly saved parents, on the other hand, can lead their children toward repentance because they themselves have turned away in humility from their sin.
When dealing with your children about disobedience, make sure that the action is indeed a violation of God’s Word. Then point it out to your children. Use Scripture. This pricks the conscience and instructs the thinking, both of which lead a child to conversion. After you have administered the spanking, ask the child if he is going to obey. You are looking for his agreement to do right, an attitude of cooperation, and then action that fulfills your command. This is the full picture of what it means to use the rod and reproof.
Sincerely,
Pastor Sutton