What God Says About Disciplining Children 4-13-10

When children are born they are surrounded by people who love them. Within a few months they are trying to get them to say two simple words, ma-ma, and da-da. Eventually after hearing this a million times they start to repeat it. It's a wonderful time when they say these words for the first time. We jump and shout and call our parents and friends to celebrate the occurrence.

However, there is a word even shorter than that, and simpler to say. The word is "NO", and I am constantly amazed at the children who have no idea what it means. What is worse, their parents are guilty of never teaching them the meaning of the word. Therefore the child grows up spoiled rotten without the understanding of this word. A little word that could prevent a lot of hardship for them in the future, and could potentially even save their life.

The parents who do not teach their children this word through consistent discipline will regret it shortly. The results will be disastrous. The child will show themselves in public by pitching a fit to get their way, and they will, because they haven't been taught the meaning of the word "NO". It will be embarrassing for the parents, but they have themselves to thank.

I have seen this scenario played out many times over the years with little children. Then they grow into adolescence with the same discipline (or lack thereof) they had as a child. They are just as spoiled as before, and they pitch bigger fits. The difference is, they are bigger now and stronger, and they don't accept "NO" as an answer from anybody. Many at this stage become bully's and find themselves in trouble at school, and with the law.

When God gives us children He also gives us the responsibility to raise them properly. He does not approve of this lackadaisical attitude toward child rearing. We have a duty to raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Check back in tomorrow and we will examine what God has to say about the discipline of children.