For The Proverbial Palate- 11.08.2008

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. Proverbs 29:15-17

There are now a number of studies out there that reinforce what the Proverbs says concerning the discipline that a child receives has a major influence on how he/she turns out, is true.

Dr. William Pollock, Harvard psychologist and author of Real Boys, concludes that though divorce is difficult for children of both sexes, it is devastating for males. He says the basic problem is the lack of discipline and supervision in the father’s absence and his unavailability to teach what it means to be a man.

Pollock also believes fathers are crucial in helping boys to manage their emotions. Without the guidance and direction of a father, a boy’s frustration often leads to violence and other anti-social behavior.

It is not hard to see what Dr.Pollock is talking about across our society. It seems with each passing year that the wickedness and transgression is worsening and that, at much younger ages. You can look around your neighborhood or if you work with youth in extracurricular sports or especially teachers in school…. when a child is left in an environment (home) that void of structure and discipline, it leaves the child to do nothing more than what is right in his/her own eyes.

It is imperative that first evidence of rebellion must be brought into check… the sooner the better. The shaft of the tree can be bent and influenced while the wood is soft and tender, but as the tree ages it it becomes more brittle and less susceptible to influence, without risking the breaking of the tree; so it is in the character of the child.

When the rebellion of a child is left to itself wickedness will only get worse. As wickedness increase so does the transgression of the child’s actions.

When the parent corrects the child the fruit of discipline will give the parent rest, yea, delight unto thy soul.

malachi

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