Wednesday, October 13, 2010

DISCIPLINE IS LOVE = Part 3

The ‘rod’ is necessary or the child will become spoiled and will rule the house. God never intends for a child to rule his own father or mother. That example shows the child that he has control , over the household ~ even over God. His mind will remain self-seeking and warped without proper discipline and training.

Proverbs 13:24 [NIV]
He who spares the rod hates his son,

but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
*************
[the word ‘careful’ here, reminds me that we must ‘care in full’ for our children.]

The surest test of discipline is its absence.
- Clara Barton (1821 - 1912)

If you are not disciplining your child, the Bible says that you do not love them [Proverbs 13:24] ~ in fact it is even more clear when it says you hate them. Those are hard words to swallow but they are TRUTH and are not to be ignored.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Training a child………. Hummm…. Think of military boot camp for example ~ but with a good [graduating] end result.
  • Training takes time.
  • Training takes discipline.
  • Training takes love.
  • Training takes perseverance.
  • Training takes focus.
  • Training takes purpose.
  • Training takes work.
  • Training has a purpose to produce a fruitful end.

Without training and teaching the next generation is left to be unrestrained, self-reliant, undisciplined, with a selfish ‘me first’ attitude and lifestyle.

Are we PREPARING and TRAINING them to be Martyrs for Christ?

  • willing to lay down their lives for Him
  • willing to do what is right and just
  • willing to follow God’s ways
  • willing to think of others before themselves
  • not to be independent ~ but to be GOD-dependant.
What practical ways do you train up your child in the way he should go?

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

3 comments:

Warren Baldwin said...

Another good post in this series. M Scott Peck defines love as nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth. Since discipline is the attempt of the parents to nuture the growth of a child (spiritually, emotionally and physically), it certainly is an act of love. Good post.

Terry Laudett said...

Very good post. Your choice of words when you asked "Are we preparing and training them to be martyrs for Christ?" was especially powerful. I had never thought of the question. Thanks for provoking me to think in that way!

TRUTH SHARER said...

Warren:
Love those words about "nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth" ~ Wow ~ that's why it is LOVE! Nurturing is a word wrapped in love! Great words of wisdom shared.

Terry:
I believe the next generation [my grandchildren] will truly be required to become martyr's for Christ more than any other time in history. It is up to us to train them and teach them to love God and to obey Him with their whole heart! That take the love of discipline to do it. Glad it spoke to you. Praise God for what he teaches us through each other. Exemplifies our Titus 2 in Action!