|
Not chastening one's children |
|
There are
many believers who, having been deceived by some who are wise according to
the world but not according to God, refuse to rebuke severely or to beat
their own children (according to the need, of course) when they disobey. For
they say, ‘Our children also must have their own experiences’, ‘It is the
Lord who will make them understand what is right and what is wrong’, ‘How can
I beat the blood of my blood?’ etc. |
|
Brothers,
I exhort you not to be deceived by these words, rather expose them earnestly
and destroy them because they openly oppose the Word of God which says: “He
that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him
betimes” (Proverbs 13:24) and also: “Withhold not correction from the child:
for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him
with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell” (Proverbs |
|
Why is
correction (not only the verbal correction but also the correction with the
rod) necessary? Because Wisdom says: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a
child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs |
|
Therefore,
there is only one way to bring up one’s children well, that is, by correcting
them. Let no one deceive you, because if you allow them to do whatever they
like they will grow like brute beasts and they will be your grief and your
shame. |