Discipline and Truth

February 20

Casual observation upon driving through a neighborhood can tell you exactly who invests his time and energy in maintaining his yard. One home may be surrounded by a well-manicured lawn and colorful flowers while the one next door may be overrun with weeds.

It’s not quite so easy to discern which parents are investing themselves in their children, but spending a significant amount of time with them will reveal which children’s lives are being well-tended by their parents and which are being left to be over-run with the weeds and brambles of indifference or neglect.

Perhaps one might attribute the difference to opposite but equal philosophies of parenting, but the scripture does not sustain this position. The Lord is very clear throughout His Word, of the great advantage a child has who is reared under the loving guidance and secure structure of a parent who establishes clear boundaries for him.

The advantage to the parent who disciplines his child cannot be understated. In Proverbs 29:17 he is told, “Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.” In I John 1:4, the beloved apostle further says of those he’s nurtured in the Word, “I have no greater joy than to know my children walk in truth.”