Spanking is NOT Biblical!!

[ameee]

I have been approached many many times by Christian parents who claim they feel it is their duty to spank their children and if they don't they are not obeying the Bible, however that simply is not true and here's why....

"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." (Prov. 22:15)

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." (Prov. 13:24)

"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death." (Prov. 23:13-14)

"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to itself disgraces his mother." (Prov. 29:15)

The Hebrew dictionary gives the word rod as meaning a shepards staff which is used to guide his sheep (not hit them!) and the word rod is also used as a symbol of God's word. If you were to use the word rod in a literal context then you would say that the Bible says when a child is hit with a rod he will not die and we know for a fact that this is incorrect as many children are killed every year from being hit by rods and other devices. However if you use the word rod as it's real meaning "God's word" then all of the proverbs and psalm's that use this word would make sense....

("Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." – Psalm 23:4). 

One side note: The phrase "spare the rod, spoil the child" is not Biblical at all (go ahead, pull out your Bible, you won't find this phrase anywhere in it). The phrase "spare the rod, spoil the child" is actually from a burlesque poem from the 1600s by Samuel Butler, and it's actually about sex. It's a "love" poem, between a fat man and a widow. Not a reading I care to get my parenting advice from.

Jesus' teachings were ones of love, guidance and respect and that is the way I  bring up my children!

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[allamericankate]

Nov. 14, 2007 at 12:14 AM that is so commonly misinterpretted.

[Michiganmom26]

Nov. 14, 2007 at 12:15 AM

a big amen to that.spanking shows weakness in the parents. you wouldnt hurt your child if you love it.

our way may be harder but more affective

[CloudWeaver]

Nov. 14, 2007 at 12:17 AM

I have never had that told me like you so eloquently did. Thank you. As one on both sides of that "rod" I am learning why its best sometimes to hold back and talk instead of spanking. Alas you are trained in how to deal with things. Yet time patience and experience are the best teachers of all.

Have a great day!:)

[shysavsianna]

Nov. 14, 2007 at 12:18 AM

THANK YOU! AMEN! So many people just resort to spanking. I was one of them until recently and am happier for changing that aspect of our lives.

Love Much, Katherine

[cleanaturalady]

Nov. 14, 2007 at 10:50 PM i couldn't agree with you more. I wrote a journal entry on this very same misquote of scripture.

[goingbonkers07]

Nov. 14, 2007 at 11:10 PM huh. Thanks, I just read this to my dh. It makes perfect sense.

[littlebytes]

Nov. 19, 2007 at 3:20 AM I agree and therefore have been trying to get my husband and myself to stop using spanking as a form of discipline. It is hard at times...especially for my husband. He believes if he/we were raised with it then our kids should be. I hate hate to harm my kids and want to find other ways of dealing with his misbehavior. I think most he will outgrow and that patience is needed most. I will share your post with my husband and see what he says??

[promamma]

Nov. 20, 2007 at 7:51 AM I agree completely with your post we live in southern Ohio and they believe in corporal punishment here -If you sign the consent paper they will beat your child--and its so weird because alot of the parents agree with it here - The principal says it is biblical -- theres a bunch of posts online about this school and how crazy their thinking is -We feel very out of place here and were looking to buy a house up closer to colombus next year I will be sure to research the schools better next time--They say its biblical but we got the list of (christmas songs) last week and they are a sacreligous spin on the classics--What is wrong with the U.S -- Its not the same anymore--jen

[aimgirl77]

Nov. 23, 2007 at 7:04 PM Go ahead girl!

[Shelleybean78]

Nov. 28, 2007 at 9:54 PM Have you seen a shephard use the Rod to guide his sheep? He pops the sheep on the backside (with the Rod!)  to get them where they are suppose to go :) I've got an incredible book on Parenting Called "Shepharding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp...We just finished the class at church and it's VERY Good at explaining "Spankings" and their importance in raising a child God's way :)