Bible Discussion Thread

Proverbs 23:13-14

Proverbs 23:13-14

King James Version

13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Many modern parents struggle with this commandment from God. They do not think a parent should spank (or beat) a child in discipline. The problem with human thinking and God's commands is that they ofter conflict. I recommend parents obey God rather than their emotions or the advice of unbelievers.

And then there is the law whereby disciplining parents might have to answer to the govt for any type of physical discipline that they receive complaint on. In some cases parents overstep the mark, but the law practically forbids any type of physical discipline.

Many of us are well into our years & have not escaped the cane, strap or flying shoe when younger. For me, I came out the better for it & gave due respect to my parents (specifically my Mother who was the keeper of the weapons) & learnt to respect elders, teachers & law officers. And much could be said on that subject of many of today's youth in the home, school & society.

I was paddled in high school for infractions like being late to class. Those paddling were done in the open with plenty of others watching. Those disciplinary measures did not hurt but helped my development into stable adulthood. But that is not why God was right to command parents to discipline their children.

I expect Christian parents who obey God will possibly face legal action from government officials beholding to human laws that openly defy and contradict God.