Vital Signs: Monday, September 16, 2024

DISCIPLINE, PUNISHMENT, OR ABUSE

“Don’t fail to discipline your children. The rod of punishment won’t kill them. Physical discipline may well save them from death.” - ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Loving parents lovingly discipline their children, but lashing out in anger that results in physical abuse is never acceptable. The rod of discipline isn’t a weapon for anger and abuse. We must use discipline to guide or rescue our children, like a shepherd uses a rod and staff to direct, guide, and sometimes rescue sheep.

We must look to Christ, love, and wisdom—not our anger or upbringing—to show us the way to discipline our children.