THE ROD OF GOD!  DFO 1527         14/5/83

         [HomeARC note (9/98): The Charter is the current source of Family policy and rules regarding the discipline of minors.]

         1. JUST BECAUSE STRICT PUNISHMENT & SEVERE DISCIPLINE DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE AN IMMEDIATE EFFECT & CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE CHANGE & REPENTANCE, DOESN'T MEAN IT WAS WRONG OR FRUITLESS OR INEFFECTIVE! It is ordained & commanded by God to use the rod! And if your rod doesn't work, then you'll just have to turn'm over to God & His rod!--And that one really works!
         2. SO PARENTS & CHILDREN BEWARE! IF YOU THINK YOUR PARENTS ARE TOUGH TASKMASTERS & TOO HARSH & SEVERE & STRICT IN THEIR DISCIPLINE, JUST WAIT UNTIL GOD GETS AHOLD OF YOU! Then you'll know what real chastisement is--the Rod of God! Either the rod will get rid of that rot, or He'll [deal with] you so you won't be a stumblingblock to others! [You'll] live forever in everlasting shame & contempt in the next! (Da.12:2) If you don't respond to the chastening from people in your Family & Home & if you refuse to change, God can get pretty tough sometimes!
         3. SO PARENTS & CHILDREN BEWARE! IF YOU SPARE THE ROD, YOU'LL SPOIL THE CHILD! God says when using it, spare not for his crying, for foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod driveth it far from him. (Pr.13:24; 19:18; 22:15) So don't be afraid to use the rod, like God, & look on it as the rod of God in your hand, God's servant, as a parent, & may you teach your children to fear you as God teaches His children--us--to fear Him! If we didn't fear God, we'd go to Hell, & so will your child if you don't teach him the fear of God & good healthy Godly fear & respect for his parents & the rod!
         4. IF THEY WON'T REPENT IN THIS LIFE, THEY CERTAINLY WILL IN THE NEXT--BUT TOO LATE FOR REWARD! They'll have nothing to show for it but everlasting shame & contempt, & they'll be sorry then--but so will you!--Especially if it was partly your fault because you refused to apply the rod! You spared the rod & spoiled the child, in fact, ruined him forever by your failure to discipline him & chastise him as God has commanded. Just please remember that the rod spoken of here doesn't mean a piece of lead pipe nor a 2 x 4, it means a wooden stick such as a piece of cane or the branch of a tree, something that will not actually injure the child, but will only make him sorry & to fear another such chastisement!
         5. AND AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, "SPARE NOT FOR HIS CRYING!"--Because they usually yell louder at the beginning to try to make you quit before they're even hurt! Whereas as you continue to apply it & they begin to simmer down & beg for mercy, then you know it's taking effect.
         6. (MARIA: DO YOU THINK THAT HAS TO MEAN A CORPORAL ROD OF PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT?) Not always, it depends on what they fear the most, what's the most effective for each individual child. One thing that I never could bear was my parents' tears! If they'd sit there & cry, oh boy, that hurt me the worst of all, to know I'd really hurt'm, & I'd cry too!
         7. LOVE NEVER FAILS!--AND IF IT'S REAL LOVE, IT WON'T FAIL SOONER OR LATER!--Even if it's applying the rod in love. The Lord says, "Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth, & scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." (He.12:6) After He's tried all the love & the mercy & the patience & the weeping & everything else, if that doesn't do it, He'll whack away until you do cry!
         8. (MARIA: WE'VE RARELY USED THE ROD ON OUR THREE CHILDREN, EVEN WHEN THEY'RE BAD, BECAUSE THEY RESPOND SO WELL TO OTHER KINDS OF DISCIPLINE.) The little stick is a last resort, & it usually shows that there's been some failure along the line, improperly teaching & training & loving them up in the way of the Lord. Otherwise they would love you & love the Lord & love to obey, like ours do.
         9. THANK YOU JESUS FOR NOT SPARING THE ROD WITH US OR THEM! Thank You for Thy loving chastenings & scourgings! Help us also to lovingly apply Thy rod to save them from sin. In Jesus' name, amen. God bless & keep your children in His way--by the rod if necessary.--Have you?


Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family