Misquoted - "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child" - Tim Nay

LifeSpring Christian Church Sermons

Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child
Tim Nay

Part of Misquoted - Context is Key

August 6, 2023

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. —Proverbs 22:15

What we think: If we do not spank our children, they will run wild.

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. —Proverbs 13:24

What Proverbs 22:15 means:
1. It is important WHY we discipline.

• folly is in the heart

For the fool speaks folly, and his heart is busy with inquiry, to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the Lord, to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and to deprive the thirsty of drink. —Isaiah 32:6

• it develops mature followers of Jesus.

2.It is important HOW we discipline.

• A rod was used to defend

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me. —Psalm 23:4

• A rod was used to keep track
• A rod was used to check for disease
• A rod was used to guide

On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. —1 Samuel 3:12-13Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. —1 Samuel 2:22-24The right hand draws near and the left hand pushes away. —Sanhedrin, 107b

Questions for Parents:

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. —Proverbs 22:6

TAKEAWAY for Parents: Will you discipline to develop mature followers of Jesus?

In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’ It is for discipline that you have to endure. [NIV - “Endure hardship AS discipline.”] God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. —Hebrews 12:4-11

TAKEAWAY for Individuals: Will you humbly submit to Godf’s discipline, knowing He loves you?