What Makes For Appalling Behavior

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." -Proverbs 13:24

Spare the rod and spoil the child the old adage says. Sparing the rod, Proverbs 13:24 says, is tantamount to hating your children. To discipline your children is tantamount to loving them. This does not mean giving them a tongue-lashing. Discipline is vital to a child's self-image. It shows the child that they are loved and cared about.

"Discipline your son and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul" -Proverbs 29:17

Proverbs 29:15 says the opposite of verse 17, stating what happens if you do not discipline your son. The prime example of Proverbs 29:15 happened in Columbine, Colorado in 1999. A total of fifteen people died a horrible death there. It says correct your son and he will give you rest. There was no rest for the parents of the gunmen.

"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother." Proverbs 29:15

Verse 15 says a child left to himself, not cared for, brings shame to his parents. The two boys who did all those horrible things in Columbine were not disciplined or corrected. They brought their parents shame, well deserving shame.

A properly disciplined child will give their parents rest, but not so for the parents who hate their children. When the wicked rulers are multiplied, transgression is multiplied. Today we see the wicked as those who do not believe in child discipline. In countries like Scandinavia transgression has increased.[1]

If a father's heart is not turned towards his child's heart, then the child's heart will never turn toward the parent's. We can see the way it is in the world today. No one has to tell you the world has gone awry.[2]

Why don't we send our children to public school? Because they are not disciplined there, they are not cared for. It is not safe there. How much shame do you think the people have suffered in Colorado? That is what makes for appalling behavior. When a child is not shown any affection or discipline by his parents.