Proverbs 20:30

"Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes reach the innermost parts"
(Proverbs 20:30 NASB). Discipline on the outside can change what is on the
inside. While others proverbs do talk about using corporeal punishment for
discipling our children (cf. Proverbs 13:24), this one does not. This
particular proverb is talking about correcting criminals (i.e., those
committing evil) not children and the discipline talked about is that which
would bruise and tear the flesh (think flogging). This is severe discipline
for a severe problem. Remember, some of the advice Solomon is passing on to
his son is how to be a good king. It is not our job to punish criminals or
to meet out this kind of punishment, that is for the government to do as it
sees fit (cf. Romans 13:1-4), but there is a principle we can apply to
raising our children. Disciplining our children is not just about correcting
behavior, it is about forming character. This is something we need to start
early. If we correct problems and attitudes when they are small, it only
takes a little discipline. If the problem is allowed to fester, correction
will become much more difficult. When we fail to discipline our children, it
is usually because of our own lack of discipline or misinformation. The lazy
parent thinks the problem is not too severe and it doesn't seem worth the
effort it takes to correct the child just ignores the problem. The
misinformed parent sees misbehavior as "kids being kids" and lets the
problem slide. Whether from laziness or misinformation, ultimately this is
unloving behavior and does the child a great disservice. Let's show our
children love, not laziness.

by Jeremy Sprouse