Pro 22:15 | KingComments | STEP | Children are naturally capable of foolish actions. Parents must be mindful that their children are capable of the craziest things and the worst sins. The foolishness does not come from outside, but from within and is ‘ingrained’. Every child is born in sin and it is in him ( ). That sinful nature is imparted to him by his parents. Parents who do not consider their children capable of the worst follies are fools themselves. The most loving care neither prevents this folly nor can correct it. A child can be so foolish that, for example, he does dangerous things, makes wrong purchases, chooses wrong friends, visits wrong places, steals and lies and cheats, reads bad literature, watches porn. He needs to be warned about all such follies. But mere talk will not get you there. Discipline is necessary to correct these natural, sinful tendencies and make him mature and wise. A child does not fall directly into the hands of an adulteress. He must learn at an early age to clean his room when his parents tell him to. If he does not listen, he must feel. Then the rod should come out and he should get a few taps on his behind (and not be flogged in temper!). “The rod” is necessary to bring it out and use it when appropriate. Eli spared his sons the rod of admonition, he did not even rebuke them, and they perished ( ). It is better to listen to God’s Word than to a government that goes against God’s Word by forbidding corporal punishment ( ). Just look at the development of youth raised without discipline.

‏ Proverbs 22:15

The Rod Keeps Foolishness at a Distance

Children are naturally capable of foolish actions. Parents must be mindful that their children are capable of the craziest things and the worst sins. The foolishness does not come from outside, but from within and is ‘ingrained’. Every child is born in sin and it is in him (Psa 51:5). That sinful nature is imparted to him by his parents. Parents who do not consider their children capable of the worst follies are fools themselves.

The most loving care neither prevents this folly nor can correct it. A child can be so foolish that, for example, he does dangerous things, makes wrong purchases, chooses wrong friends, visits wrong places, steals and lies and cheats, reads bad literature, watches porn. He needs to be warned about all such follies. But mere talk will not get you there. Discipline is necessary to correct these natural, sinful tendencies and make him mature and wise.

A child does not fall directly into the hands of an adulteress. He must learn at an early age to clean his room when his parents tell him to. If he does not listen, he must feel. Then the rod should come out and he should get a few taps on his behind (and not be flogged in temper!). “The rod” is necessary to bring it out and use it when appropriate.

Eli spared his sons the rod of admonition, he did not even rebuke them, and they perished (1Sam 3:13). It is better to listen to God’s Word than to a government that goes against God’s Word by forbidding corporal punishment (Acts 5:29). Just look at the development of youth raised without discipline.