Pulpit Magazine has an interesting article about parenting and spanking here. I find it strange that many Christians have joined the anti-spanking campaign for various reasons. Many of these advocates equate punishments, and even rewards, with Skinner-type behaviorism. Since it’s right, and it always sounds great, to focus on the heart, we can start to believe that any coercive measures have no effect on the heart and can only lead to legalism and works righteousness.
The problems with this kind of thinking, is that it misses a very big point. While our works, or our obedience to God’s commands, can’t replace grace, God doesn’t infuse us with grace while we sleep. He’s given us an abundant means of grace.One of those is disciplining our children. Another is teaching them diligently about God’s character and works in this world. Memorizing Scriptures, prayer, going to church and participating in the ordinances—all of these are ways that God gives grace to us and our families.
We must take into account all of God’s commands. If parents just make their child obey without proper teaching and loving encouragement, then their actions may be a means of oppression rather than grace. If a parent does not serve her children in love, then she is teaching more about how to be a bully then how to be a servant leader.
Context is so important in a discussion about discipline. Take a Happy Meal for example. If Grandpa takes little guy to McDonald’s for a scrumptious playdate to reward him for his good behavior, then that hamburger and fries could be a means of grace. If, however, a parent gives a child a Happy Meal—for the 28th time that month—instead of the nutritious food he needs, then a Happy Meal can now be a means of abuse.
It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of prayer, and a lot of wisdom to be a conduit of grace to our children. In fact, we can only do it through grace.
