“All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits” (Proverbs 16:2).
“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
![[The Scriptures say in Proverbs 16:9 -- A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps]](/pantinghart/wp-content/the-lord-directeth.jpg "God's Word says: A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps (Proverbs 16:9)")
We as parents must train as God instructs if we wish to train our children for God.
We must train as God would if we wish to have God-pleasing results.
But some of God’s ways and a few of His instructions in this regard are — well, what would you say about this one?
“Withhold not correction from the child: for if you beatest him with the rod, he shall not die” (Proverbs 23:13).
Beat the child with a rod?! That sounds mighty harsh and abusive. I wonder if the translators of my Spanish Bible found less “savage” terms than the translators of the King James Version….
OK, here’s my translation from Spanish: “Do not refuse to correct the child, because if you punish him with the rod, he won’t die.”
I do not believe God intends for this verse to be applied abusively.
Can you refer us to verses that show that?
![[The Scriptures say in Proverbs 23:16 -- When thy lips speak right things]](/pantinghart/wp-content/lips-speak-right.jpg "God's Word says: When thy lips speak right things (Proverbs 23:16)")