Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. – Proverbs 13:24

It’s not easy for any loving parent to discipline their child, but it’s necessary. The greatest responsibility that God gives parents is to nurture and guide their children. Lack of discipline puts a parents love in question because shows a lack of concern for the character development of that child. Without correction, children grow up with no clear understanding of right and wrong and will have little direction in their lives. Disciplining your children is an act of love.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11

As with any kind of training, regular submission to godly discipline leads to increased strength and righteousness. The best response to loving discipline is to accept it gratefully as the appropriate response from a loving parent.

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol. My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. – Proverbs 23:13-15

The stern tone of discipline here is offset by the affection expressed in verse 15. However, many parents are reluctant to discipline their children at all. Some fear they will damage their relationship and that their children will resent them. But correction won’t kill children and it may prevent them from foolish decisions in the future.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.- Proverbs 22:6

This verse implies that parents should discern the individuality and special strengths that God has given each child and nurture them to excel at those strengths. Also, when parents teach a child how to make decisions they don’t have to watch every step the child makes. They trust that their child will make the correct choice. So parents need to train their children to choose the correct way.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4

The purpose of parental discipline is to help children grow, not to provoke them to anger. Parenting is not easy, it takes lots of patients to raise children in a loving, Christ honouring way. Parents should always strive to act in love when disciplining children.

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. – Proverbs 22:15

Young children often do foolish and dangerous things simply because they don’t understand the consequences. The wisdom a child learns must be taught. “The rod of discipline” mentioned in this verse, stands for all forms of discipline or training. Just as God trains and corrects us to make us better so to parents must discipline their children to make them learn the difference between right and wrong. Many kids who are now in adulthood were never disciplined by their parents. Unfortunately since they didn’t receive love and discipline at home, society is forced to correct them through the police and the government. This is why discipline is important when children are little.

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. – Proverbs 29:15

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart. – Proverbs 29:17

It’s easy to wimp out, be passive, and withhold discipline. But doing so will eventually bring you to sorrow and disgrace. So if you don’t want to see your children join the ranks of the rebellious, discipline them for their own good.

Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. – Proverbs 19:18

If you fail to discipline your children in the home, he or she will pay for his lack of self control outside the home. Don’t neglect to intervene in his life because it could end up saving his life in the future.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. – Proverbs 12:1

If you don’t want to learn, years of schooling will teach you very little. But if you want to be taught, there is no end to what you can learn. This includes being willing to except discipline and correction and to learn from the wisdom of others. A person who refuses constructive criticism has a problem with pride. Such a person is unlikely to learn very much.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. – Colossians 3:21

Children must be handled with care. They need firm discipline administered in love. Don’t alienate them by nagging or destroying their self-confidence so they lose heart. When you correct your children you want to break their stubborn will without breaking their spirit. The goal is to lead them to willing obedience and righteousness. Your children need to know that they are significant and important and that we as their parents love them. Remember rules without relationship leads to rebellion.