7 Reasons Why Children Need Discipline

Discipline and correction are two important and major components of the Christian faith. Why? Because we need to be raised and disciplined correctly from young, and corrected along the way, in order to stay on the straight and narrow with God. We need to be taught right from wrong, what is moral and what is immoral, what is sinful and what is Godly because we are living in a world that is run by the devil and we must learn to embrace our faith in Christ and not get caught up in the worldly desires.

If we do something wrong and are not corrected or disciplined, how will we learn? How can we grow and do better in our own selves and in our relationship with God? When a child does the wrong thing by their parents, they need to be corrected and disciplined in order to learn the truth of their actions and their words. We cannot allow our children to run wild and free, with no biblical, moral foundation as their support. The way in which our children are raised stems from how we parent them and where our alignment is with our faith. “Train up a

child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Discipline and correction are biblical. It is not cruel, or immoral to do these things to and for our children. All throughout the Bible we read about and understand how God will discipline and correct His people, and chastise them when they’re in sin. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6). As such, we take on board the teachings from the Bible as a source to guide the way in which we raise our children and grow as parents (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We are born into a sinful world, but we cannot allow ourselves or our children to be dictated by it. Satan is the ‘god’ of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), and that is why we must raise our children correctly, making sure that they are well prepared spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. We cannot be slaves to sin (Romans 6). We must be obedient to God and do everything according to His Will and not our own. We are in a constant battle daily with the flesh and the spirit. But when we put on the armor of God, we can stand strong in our faith, knowing that God will protect us and watch over us all.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:10-18). 

Here are 7 bible verses that emphasise the importance of correction and discipline for our children, as well as our own selves, and why it must be done.

1. Proverbs 23:14 – Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Disicipline and correction help children learn the truth of their actions, as well as the truth about God, the Bible, heaven and hell, and where our actions can ultimately lead us. When we learn the truth about Jesus and all that He has done for us, we yearn to seek correction in our lives, in order to stay faithful unto Him. Our faith in Jesus saves our soul from going to hell. This is why children need to be disciplined from young, in order to act righteously and learn the truth of the gospel and the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us.

2. Proverbs 13:24 – He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Discipline and correction are done in love. We do this to our children because we love them and want them to be raised the right way. It is unloving of us as parents to not discipline our children because we are not teaching them right from wrong.

3. Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

After being disciplined and corrected, it brings about a positive feeling as we receive understanding of right from wrong, and how to continue going about living righteously and turning away from behaving inappropriately.

4. Proverbs 15:32 – He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

When raising our children, we are preparing them for the world that we live in. It is not a pleasant one and so they need to receive instruction as such. Those who reject instruction does not care about their own selves, or their souls and where they could end up, because they are not focused on the things above, and yearning to be righteous in their lives. Their frame of mind is taking instruction as a negative engagement, rather than a positive encounter to give them understanding on all matters of life.

5. Proverbs 29:15 – The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame.

As I had mentioned above, we cannot allow our children to run wild and free. Children are born into this sinful world, and do not have a clear understanding of God, morality and ways of life. You cannot leave your child on their own, and not give them any guidance, or instruction because it is going to end up being just disastrous. If you do not teach your children about the bible or raise them up in The Lord, then the world will teach them otherwise. This potential negative outcome is going to bring about shame and destruction within the household.

6. Proverbs 22:15 – Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

As mentioned before, children are born into this sinful world. Without instruction, they are destined to become self-destructive, find themselves driven further and further away from the truth of the Bible, of any concept of morality and of God, and thus, on their way to hell. Discipline and correction removes any sense of foolishness and defiance in a child, when young, if they are taught to obey God, obey their parents, and do that which is righteous unto God, rather than essentially becoming a loose cannon following the world.

7. Proverbs 25:28 – He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.

Children need to learn to and take control of their actions, and their words. An individual who has no sense of control over their spirit, is like a broken down city without walls as their boundary/protective shell as such. If you do not instruct and direct your child in the way in which they should go, then it is only going to go downhill for them from there. We cannot let our children run a muck, thinking that they can do and say as they please, without any sense of self-control. It all starts at home with our parenting.

Overall, there are several bible verses that explicitely illustrate the importance for children to be disciplined and corrected by the parents in order to learn the truth of God, the Bible, morality and all other manners of life. We cannot leave it up to our children who have foolishness born into them, living in a world run by the devil, full of sin. We, as Christians, must acknowledge that discipline is good because we love our children and want them to be raised correctly. We want the best for them, and to protect them from all evil. This is why we must follow and obey God. He would correct and chastise His people, and so we should do the same for our children.

Stay encouraged,

God Bless.

 

 

Category: christian-blog