The Ouch Factor

In recent days a friend on FACEBOOK started a discussion on whether or not physical punishment, i.e. the “strap” applied to children produced violent adults. I responded by saying that I still had the strap that my parents (usually) my Dad used occasionally on my brother and myself. You can see the photo. It is part of a belt off a piece of farm machinery and is about 12 inches long. Believe me, it stings! I have kept it all these years as a reminder that my parents cared enough about us to use it when all else failed to drive home a point they felt we needed to understand.

Because I happen to be reading in Hebrews these days where the Lord’s discipline is discussed, my friend’s post and the instruction from the Word of God made an interesting study.

“And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepted as a son’…Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:5, 6, 10, 11)

I looked up the various meanings to this word translated “discipline” in the NIV and “chasten” in the KJV as used in these verses and was especially struck by how the word is used when applied to God and how He disciplines His children.

    I. to train children

        A. to be instructed or taught or learn

        B. to cause one to learn

    II. to chastise

        A. to chastise or castigate with words, to correct

            i. of those who are moulding the character of others by reproof and admonition

        B. of God

            i. to chasten by the affliction of evils and calamities

        C. to chastise with blows, to scourge

            i. of a father punishing his son

            ii. of a judge ordering one to be scourged

Any good thing can be abused—and unhappily what Proverbs described as the “rod” is sometimes abused. But that is not what discipline properly applied is about. My Dad knew that. Most importantly, God knows that. His discipline and that which parents are to model is “for our good” and “produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who are trained by it.”

We don’t like it. It sometimes hurts. But when we learn from it as it is correctly applied by a loving parent bent on making us the best “us” we can be, it’s all good—really good. I'm grateful Dad didn't have to use that strap often—but I'm glad he DID use it when necessary.