2026-10-16
Good morning, Dear Ones,
The Holy Spirit has directed me to write about discipline in parenting—no easy task. I say that because there are times when a parent will pick the wrong time, the wrong method, or the wrong intensity to discipline a child or a teenager. The idea is not to either neglect or defeat one’s offspring. HE 12: 6, “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” God’s discipline is rooted in love and aims to correct and guide His children toward spiritual maturity. A parent who never disciplines a child is doing that child a great disservice. A child without discipline becomes unruly. That’s the child who becomes a teen without regard for behavioral boundaries. The same problem is found at the other end of the spectrum for a child whose parent is so overly strict with too many rules and harsh forms of discipline. This approach produces a child with no self-esteem, who is angry and feeling defeated.
To understand where the happy medium is in disciplining a child, we need to look at some examples. Johnny is a child of parents who don’t discipline him. He is destructive and steps into situations where teaching moments are ignored. As a teenager, He runs around with kids like himself. They are destructive and often push others aside to get what they want. He is selfish and doesn’t see the tremendous advantages toward gaining spiritual maturity by learning about the love of the Lord. One more example is Susie. She is reared in a home where discipline is too harsh and often ill-timed. Dad is in the military and runs the home as if it was his personal army. Mom abrogates all the discipline to Dad. Susie lives in mortal fear of her own father and has no self-esteem. Susie becomes dependent on her mother. As a teenager, she avoids attending normal teen events. Now, we must ask ourselves, what kind of adults will Johnny and Susie become? Where is the Lord’s influence in either case?
PR 3: 11-12, “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not loathe His rebuke, for the Lord disciplines the one He loves.” Discipline of God’s sort is a responsible act of love. It is age-appropriate and it is necessary to provide teaching moments that can be life-changing. Edith was a wanderer, always curious, willing to try new things and new places. She was told by her mother to go out and play with friends but to be back before 5 PM every time. One day when her parents were having company, she forgot her watch. She and her friend up the street were playing a particularly engaging game and lost track of time. When it began to get dark, Edith broke up the game and said she had to go home. On her way, she met with her mother who had been out looking for her. Upon her their arrival home, Edith was reprimanded and sent to bed without dinner. This embarrassing but necessary discipline led to a discussion the next day that everyone in the family had to let the others know where they are, return home at the time set by the parents, or call if plans were unavoidably changed to let the parent know. Discipline should be corrective, not punitive. EPH 6: 4, “Fathers, do no provoke your children to wrath, but instead, bring them up in the discipline and instructions of the Lord.”
One more consideration is that when we discipline our children, we need to be consistently in line with the Lord’s values, diligent in modeling His love. This takes patience and sensitivity to all the circumstances surrounding the infraction. Never before, has there been such an intrusion in our lives by electronic devices. Children must learn that getting physical exercise is necessary for us all, and not to be using those devices at inappropriate times or for lengths. Schools are getting better at collecting phones during class time, and wise families eating dinner together should be off their phones. Homework and chores must be a priority before play. Wisdom behind such rules teaches children and teens to interact with family and friends at the table.
PRAYER: Dearest Father, we have so many imperfections, and only Your word can guide us in life’s most challenging task—parenting. We have never needed You more than we do in this pursuit! Every child is a developing personality and all of us, children, teens, and adults alike, are in need of Your guidance and intervention. Only You have the wisdom to help us rear children to adults that are spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and physically mature in a way which is right with You. Nothing is more important than Your wisdom in overcoming the challenges of rearing our children in an increasingly fallen world. We beseech You to keep us on level ground, as only You can. 2 TIM 4: 7, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales. Rather, train yourselves to be godly.” You listen to our prayers and consistently love us. For that and so many other blessings, we offer You our utmost thanksgiving, loyalty, and praise. In the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The subject of discipline is very important for both parents and children. The Holy Spirit has more to say about it, so I will write more on this pressing topic next week. In the meanwhile, we are given 2 TIM 3: 16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” God has told us, in PR 3: 5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” Thanksgiving and praise be to Him!
Grace be with You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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