READING: Proverbs 22-23, 2 Corinthians 11
I’m always amazed when the youngest of children give evidence of their sin nature. Seemingly with no prompting or teaching at all, they often exhibit selfishness, anger, and rebellion. The child who is incredibly loving and kind one moment can quickly become less than loving, and we wonder “what’s gotten into him.” It seems, in fact, that children don’t need anyone’s help to learn to do wrong. As the writer of Proverbs put it, “Foolishness is bound to the heart of a youth” (Prov 22:15).
That’s one reason God gives us parents to lovingly guide us in the right direction—we may not need help doing wrong, but we surely need help to do what is right. The wise parent, in fact, recognizes that parental discipline is a right and necessary act to help children move in the right direction. Again, the writer of Proverbs makes this point clear in the second part of Proverbs 22:15—”Foolishness is bound to the heart of a youth; a rod of discipline will separate it from him.” Discipline thus helps us overcome our bent toward foolishness.
I doubt I recognized as a child how much discipline mattered in my upbringing. This many years later, I’m grateful for parents who disciplined us out of love.
PRAYER: “Help me, Lord, to appreciate Your discipline of me, and help me to discipline our children in a way that pleases You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Proverbs 24-26, 2 Corinthians 12-13