Fathers and Mothers: Devotions from Time of GraceNäide

Parenting: Discipline Them Scripture has some miserable examples of men who were not engaged in the lives of their boys. The priest Eli was one. His sons ran the worship life of the tabernacle like their personal racket and committed adultery with women from the Service Guild. King David was a great warrior but had some miserable failures among his boys. Even the prophet Samuel had two wild children, enriching themselves through bribery and illicit gain. The Bible tells us, “Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul” (Proverbs 29:17). So what exactly does that entail? Discipline begins with a parent’s willingness to spend time and energy to shape attitudes and behaviors. Love sets boundaries so that a child knows what is good and bad, what he or she is free to do and not free to do. Discipline involves punishment, because sometimes people learn best through pain. It isn’t simply punishment though; it is a process in which you help to shape a person’s attitudes and values and behavior to reflect God’s ways. Lord, please grant peace in our homes and delight in our souls!