In his 1985 book, From Guilt to Glory, Ray Stedman quoted a report from the Minnesota Crime Commission which said:
“Every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish and self-centered. He wants what he wants when he wants it – his bottle, his mother’s attention, his playmate’s toy, his uncle’s watch. Deny him these wants, and he seethes with rage and aggressiveness, which would be murderous, were he not helpless. He is dirty. He has no morals, no knowledge, no skills. This means that all children, not just certain children, are born delinquent. If permitted to continue in the self-centered world of his infancy, given free reign to his impulsive actions to satisfy his wants, every child would grow up a criminal, a thief, a killer, a rapist.”
The Commission probably wouldn’t say the same things today because it would no longer be politically-correct. But that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t still BE correct. What the Commission unknowingly described is man’s sinful nature. That doesn’t mean people without Christ are 100% evil – they are not. They bear the image of their Creator. But without training and discipline, most people will continue on a selfish, and potentially harmful, path.
Therefore, God gave parents the task of properly and lovingly disciplining their children. In fact, parents who fail to do so demonstrate a kind of hatred toward their kids (Proverbs 13:24a). The far better alternative is found in the end of the same verse which states, “the one who loves his child is diligentin disciplining him” (v. 24b, NET).
“Diligent” in the verse conveys the idea of seeking out a child for the purpose of correcting promptly. It counters our tendency to be passive parents. Nobody enjoys the disciplinary process – including parents; therefore, many of us don’t do it. Perhaps we think the kids will magically learn the better way on their own, or from someone else.
But may I ask, if we don’t teach our children moral truth, who will? The schools? The media? Their friends? Have we not seen the results of leaving moral education in their hands? I know it’s a tough task, so let me remind you of this truth as we close, “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 12:11). Stay at it, Mom and Dad – the harvest is well worth it! –Dave
(To receive these free daily devotions via email, subscribe here. You may listen to The Teachable Heart Podcast on Spotify, Pocket Casts, Podchaser, or Audible. For more information about the ministry, or to order the devotional books, visit: https://theteachableheart.com/books.)
The Teachable Heart blog 