Proverbs 13:24
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He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
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Our grandparents said, "Spare the rod, spoil the child." This generation says, "Kids, you can't beat 'em." Who is right? Our grandparents chose the inspiration of God, the wisdom of Solomon, and common sense. Today's effeminate and permissive society bows to ignorant educators and silly soccer moms, both of which are clueless about life.
Our grandparents knew true love did what was necessary to prepare a child for life. They knew allowing a child to go unchecked without corporal punishment was to hate a child. They knew an untrained child would grow into an undisciplined adult, unprepared to live a successful life. They knew an undisciplined adult would suffer much pain and trouble.
The issue is not open to debate. God has spoken, and His word has been confirmed for 3000 years. The present crop of arrogant, lazy, rebellious, spoiled, violent, and wayward youth proves the point. Never has a nation seen such an overweening batch of dysfunctional children. The chickens have come home to roost. Solomon was right!
If you do not use the rod, you hate your children (3:11-12). The rod gives wisdom; so not using it selfishly deprives your children of wisdom (29:15). The rod saves children from death and hell; so not using it causes your children future trouble (23:13-14). The rod drives foolishness away; so not using it guarantees them to be foolish adults (22:15).
True love is more than the mushy sentimentality of the modern heresy of unconditional love. True love is the sacrificial desire for the spiritual welfare of another: it is doing what is necessary and right to help another person please God and men more perfectly. Of course, you cannot read about such love in Ben Spock's books or Mad Magazine.
Love is measured by its goal and the use of means to attain that goal. Christian parents want their children to grow in favor with God and man, the highest goal possible for human existence. And they use the God-inspired and time-proven means to achieve that goal, the rod and reproof (29:15). This is the highest degree of love a parent can have. Allowing a child to do whatever it wants is no goal but its own foolish happiness, which will destroy the child in the long run, for the discipline to please God and men is lost.
If you love your children, you will use corporal punishment early and quickly - betimes. If you wait too long, they become hardened in foolishness, and then it is too late (19:18; Eccl 8:11). Parents can avoid troublesome teens by training children and pre-teens the Bible way. If you foolishly spare the rod, you will reap the painful consequences.
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