The world today is quite different from the one occupied by ancient man. While child abuse obviously existed many centuries ago and continues even now, the definition of what is abuse is has changed – at least for the government.

What was once considered traditional, effective discipline – spanking – is now thought of by some as a form of abuse. The definition of emotional abuse is also blurry. Because of these changing definitions an increasing number of parents are finding the need to alter the manner and times of discipline. Afraid to punish a child in the yard or car, parents have resorted to taking the necessary action behind closed doors and away from windows for fear of being reported to child protective services as a child abuser.

Biblical discipline includes what modern psychologists regard as harmful. Proverbs 13:24 advices all parents:

”He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.”

Punishment, in the biblical vernacular, is part of a demonstration of love. Punishment reminds a short-sighted child that actions have consequences. Just as praise and affection are rewards to the child who does good and gives parents a proud heart, so too the pain of punishment is a deterrent. One encourages right behavior and the other discourages sin.

Any teacher who works with rebellious children knows the value of physical discipline. “Time out” in the corner, doing extra chores, staying after school and other mild forms of punishment don’t work for very long. They communicate to a child that a minor hardship might result from wrong actions and that the effects are minimal and therefore worth the risk. Not surprisingly, we’ve transferred our weak methods of discipline with our kids to our justice and prison systems. Prisoners may be confined for their crimes, but they also receive plenty of creature comforts. Too many are released early. Some are let go on small technicalities, perverting justice for the victim. Others, whose crimes include the most gruesome, are allowed to live; having their lives subsidized by taxpayers.

Maybe the problem with growing crime is due in part to our lack of providing stern discipline at an early age.

No, not maybe.

Some parents are going to face the problem of being accused of child abuse or neglect while never having committed an act of violence. Their method of discipline will be construed to mean something it does not. The child may not like the pain of corporal punishment or a sharp rebuke, but these are not designed to feel good. A child does not understand this at the time of punishment – but neither is he supposed to. Discipline is for their future as well as their present. Hebrews 12:11 teaches:

”All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

Not everyone disciplines correctly or with a view toward the future benefits for their children. Parents are going to err, sometimes forgetting that a good swat should also be followed by a long and merciful hug (but not right away – let it sting for a while). Government intrusion into family affairs won’t make better parents; only parents who learn from their mistakes can do that.

While some would argue that we need an agency like child protective services, such agencies should not take it upon themselves to redefine appropriate discipline. Instruction for the family should be left to the church – the body best prepared to negotiate family matters with the standard of God’s word.

Do not fail to discipline your child – even with a good hard spanking. Pain for sin brings back memories of things to be avoided. That is the ultimate success of corporal punishment – painful memories of sin to avoid that righteousness may flourish.