Perhaps you have heard about the child whose punishment for misbehavior was to sit in a corner. He muttered under his breath, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I’m still standing up on the inside.” That little child may have been one of us who is presently reading this book!
Corrective discipline is associated with some type of penalty for the purpose of improving misconduct. Criticizing, nagging, berating, rebuking, repetitive lecturing, or abusive chastisement usually falls on deaf ears. Candid, loving, consistent consequences and rewards, hopefully, eventually produce submission. I would rather hear the laughter of a lifetime than to be manipulated by the tears of the moment.
Proverbs 29:15 (AMP)
“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left undisciplined brings his mother to shame.”
Practical Application and Assignments:
The expression, “This hurts me more than it hurts you” has been passed down to every generation. You probably remember saying the same words your children said, “Yeah right!” Parents who refuse to discipline their children are non-verbally stating that they love themselves more.
- Teach your children through modeling and administering appropriate discipline. My wife overheard a conversation between our daughter and a teenage friend who said, “Your parents are so strict!” Allison replied, “I like it. It protects me and keeps me safe.” Discipline that is punitive is inappropriate. It produces rebellion, not correction. Loving correction, balanced with affirmation, produces mature behavior and gives children a sense of security.
- Train your children by modeling self-discipline. Discipline yourself by demanding the same standards for yourself that you expect of others. Double standards create insubordination.
“Apply your mind to instruction and correction and your ears to words of knowledge.” Proverbs 23:12 (AMP)
