Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
The command is to discipline a son while young, while there is still hope of correcting him and shaping his character, before evil tempers become fixed and unmanageable and he passes beyond guidance. That early correction is the time when character can still be molded and wrong tendencies checked rather than left to harden. Needed discipline is not to be withheld merely because the child cries.
The discipline enjoined includes physical correction, the rod applied to bring a rebellious boy to his senses. Such correction must be given faithfully and in love, lovingly and tenderly and with discretion, not in anger. Nor is it to be delayed until the parent has become angry.
It is to meet disobedience and evil temper at their first signs, in order to check the first appearance of passion and restrain the child's will. Its purpose is to subdue wrong behavior and temper rather than to intensify them. In doing this work parents remain responsible to pray for God to soften and temper their children's dispositions through the Holy Spirit.
The command is to discipline a son while young, while there is still hope of correcting him and shaping his character, before evil tempers become fixed and unmanageable and he passes beyond guidance. That early correction is the time when character can still be molded and wrong tendencies checked rather than left to harden. Needed discipline is not to be withheld merely because the child cries.
The discipline enjoined includes physical correction, the rod applied to bring a rebellious boy to his senses. Such correction must be given faithfully and in love, lovingly and tenderly and with discretion, not in anger. Nor is it to be delayed until the parent has become angry.
It is to meet disobedience and evil temper at their first signs, in order to check the first appearance of passion and restrain the child's will. Its purpose is to subdue wrong behavior and temper rather than to intensify them. In doing this work parents remain responsible to pray for God to soften and temper their children's dispositions through the Holy Spirit.