“He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently” (Prov. 13:24).
Spanktification is a branch of sanctification. Spanktification is the application of discipline by the parent upon the child. God commands His beloved to discipline their children, but when the discipline is withheld, the child lives under the parent’s roof as an illegitimate rather than as an heir (Heb. 12:7f.).
The goal of all discipline is character transformation rather than mere behavior modification – though there are times when parents must accept behavior modification as they pray for the Lord’s Spirit to transform the character of their children. Godly parents are not striving for mere behavior modification in their children. They want the child to desire the godliness of Christ for their own lives.
God says, “Discipline your son while there is hope” (Prov. 19:18). When a parent cowers from applying the rod to the child, he soon discovers he has taught his child to forfeit respect for the parent (Heb. 12:9). Parenting defines parents, not birth rates or dates.
Children of royalty have historically had to practice disciplines beyond those generally addressed in the general society of man. They have been called to greater responsibilities, so their training is more challenging. Heirs of royalty must be cautioned against succumbing to the standards of conduct adopted by those around them. They have a kingdom-sized task before them and must take upon themselves the raiment of the king.
Parenting is a most difficult task because it varies with every child. Though two children are birthed and reared by the same two parents in the same home, disciplining one child requires a significantly different “rod” from the discipline gifted to the other child. How many parents do you know who are no longer participating in effective parenting? What percentage of parents have geographically left the home of the child (via divorce), or have emotionally left the home of the child by allowing someone else to assume the role of parenting?
The tenure of some parents is quite short. Numerous parents never even make it to the marriage ceremony with the other parent. Scores of parents cease their parental matriculation in the middle of their first parental semester. Others attempt for a season but then surrender to the scourge of sloth.
Many a parent prays for his child’s salvation or sanctification and yet affords a lifestyle for the child that robs the child of the appropriate encouragements to seek the Lord. Your responsibility is to instruct your child in the art of garrisoning his mind against worldliness. Would a godly parent allow his child to remain surrounded with the very temptations that draw his child away from the benefits of living righteously?
Youth is a perilous season of life. Your children’s tender years must be seasoned with Christian instruction every day in order that Christ’s citadel of values shall become the child’s lifestyle principles (Prov. 22:6). You will receive no benefit from the tears shed on behalf of your child if you continue allowing him to trim his sails hellward.
If parents lived godly before the faces of their children, far fewer would go to their graves anxious about leaving behind unconverted children. The sins of the child are God’s sermons to the parent. Your child’s lack of respect toward you and others in authority is God’s lecture to you on your lack of respect toward God.
God loves you so much He disciplines you. Do you love your children enough to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord?” (Eph. 6:4).
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