When Children Misbehave Part 1

1
When Children Misbehave (Part 1)

• The rod and reproof give wisdom.Proverbs 2915

2
Introduction

• Every right-minded parent wants their children to
  behave and grow into productive citizens.
• Often enough, however, their selfish and
  self-serving flesh manifests its ugly head (not
  unlike many adults).
• It is during times of misbehavior that correction
  is necessary until they learn that such bad or
  sinful behavior is not acceptable.

3
Introduction

• Yet, the concept of corporal punishment has a
  very negative perception in our modern society.
• Social experts specifically tell us that
  spanking is abusive and detrimental to a childs
  development.
• God says He who spares his rod hates his son.
  Prov. 1324
• Christians desiring a biblically blessed family
  will be wise to not only accept, but also employ
  when necessary the rod as one of the means
  of chastisement.

4
Introduction

• Parents raising their children must understand
• That foolishness is bound in the heart of a
  child.
• When to begin the process of discipline
  (training) especially in the form of corporal
  punishment.
• How hard is too hard.

5
Introduction
The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who
gets his own way brings shame to his
mother. Proverbs 2915

• In this first part of When Children Misbehave
  we look at the need for punitive chastisement.

6
Foolishness Bound in the Heart of a Child

• Children do not need to learn how to behave
  foolishly. Prov. 2215
• They knowingly and purposefully do what they want
  to do, even when they are told otherwise.
• They cleverly scheme for loopholes so they can do
  what they want or keep from being punished.
• They will knowingly rebel and apologize later to
  be able to do what they want.
• Bottom line they will lie, cheat, steal, etc. to
  fulfill their wants and do anything (lie, cheat,
  steal, etc.) to keep from being corrected or
  punished.

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Foolishness Bound in the Heart of a Child

• Parents have the God-given responsibility to
  train them in His wisdom. Prov. 226
• Teaching is the initial and foundational means of
  disciplining their children to learn right from
  wrong. Cp. Deut. 65-7 Eph. 64
• Having taught the commandments of God (right from
  wrong) parents must execute consequential means
  for their childrens behavior. Prov. 2313-15
• The idiomatic rod (i.e. spanking), is one of
  Gods divine means as a form of chastisement.
• Parents unwilling to fulfill this responsibility
  diligently forsake their God-given task over
  their children God entrusted to them. Prov. 1324

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Foolishness Bound in the Heart of a Child

• Ultimately, parents have the God given
  responsibility
• To initially train up their children to honor and
  obey themso they can ultimately learn to honor
  and obey God. cp. Ecc. 1213
• We want to shed their foolishness (full of
  selfishness and self-serving) and replace it with
  peaceable fruits of righteousness (full of
  selflessness with a heart to serve). Gal. 220
  Heb. 125-11

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When to Start Corporal Chastening?

• NOTE regarding very young children
• Adults often misplace improper/bad behavior as
  being cuteviewing their young childs
  ignorance/inappropriate behavior as innocent.
• During this cute stage children are able to
  communicate vocally and/or non-verbally thus
  able to be taught and corrected.
• Parents send mixed signals when they laugh and/or
  do nothing and excuse improper behavior.
• Instead, while their young children are
  impressionable is the best time to discipline
  (teach/reprove/chastise) them. Prov. 1918

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When to Start Corporal Chastening?

• So, the question is when to start discipline
  (teaching, correction, punishment)?
• When a child has the wherewithal to do something
  that he shouldnt do, thats when you begin.
• They are able to be disciplined when they are old
  enough to purposefully do something (which takes
  cognitive skill).
• When they are old enough to (choose to) not do
  something that they should be doing.

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When to Start Corporal Chastening?

• How hard is too hard?
• Such is a difficult question to answer as there
  are various employments of corporal punishment
  spanking, pinching, poking/tapping the head or
  chest, etc.
• Biblically, the only mention of corporal
  punishment is the rod on the back (side)
  paddling. Prov. 2313-15 (Prov. 1013 143
  263)

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Proverbs 2313-15Do not withhold correction
from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he
will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, And
deliver his soul from hell. My son, if your heart
is wise, My heart will rejoiceindeed, I myself
13
Proverbs 1013Do not withhold correction from a
child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will
not die.
14
Proverbs 143In the mouth of a fool is a rod of
pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve
them.
15
Proverbs 263A whip for the horse, A bridle
for the donkey, And a rod for the fools back.
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When to Start Corporal Chastening?

• How hard is too hard?
• Such is a difficult question to answer as there
  are various employments of corporal punishment
  spanking, pinching, poking/tapping the head or
  chest, etc.
• Biblically, the only mention of corporal
  punishment is the rod on the back (side)
  paddling. Prov. 2313 (Prov. 1013 143 263)
• It is wise especially with modern societal
  stigmas and laws that parents exercise corporal
  chastisement with caution in public,
  temperament, etc.

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Conclusion

• Undoubtedly, a genuine love for our children is
  the foundation for all forms of discipline.
• The rod at times is an absolute must and
  divinely approved means to enforce the teachings
  of our Lord.
• Doing such is grievous at times (next lesson) but
  will bring about the peaceable fruits of
  righteousness.