The Unbeat Generation

(Proverbs 23:14 KJV)  Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Is corporal punishment wrong?  Our modern American society is well on the way to saying “yes.”  The Bible says “no.” 

When you “beat” (5221) you inflict discomfort.  It is not supposed to be a pleasant experience.  That is the point.  It is not necessarily mean spirited, evil or destructive.  It can be all of those but most of the children I have seen that are mean spirited, evil and destructive are the ones who have not been beaten.  I often have kids tell me that their parents have never spanked them.  All I can say to them is “I can tell.” 

What is our goal?  Not self esteem but to “deliver” (5337) a “soul” (5315).  I see this point missed so often in our politically correct church world.  Our goal is not to make people feel good, but to save them from Hell.  I don’t know how many times I have been told that you can’t make people obey the speed limit by writing tickets.  If that is the case, why does traffic slow down every time a police car is spotted? 

So?  Does this advocate child abuse?  Obviously not.  It advocates discipline.  There is a difference and we know that is true.  Remember the option is hell, not a damaged ego.