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I am hoping you can help me understand something. I am a mom of young children. Over the past couple of years, I have felt a firm conviction to stop using spanking as a tool for discipline. My parents spanked me, and I know how useless it was in disciplining me, so when I became a parent and used that tool, I struggled to do it.
But in the Christian culture, it is just assumed that the Bible commands us to spank, so most believers do it. When my husband and I did more research, we decided to stop using spanking in our home. While that has been life-changing for our family, I still struggle with why Christians say the Bible commands Christians to do it.
When I look to the Word for guidance in this area, I don’t see any example of a spanking practice. I see the opposite approach with the prodigal son. I also see how Jesus loves and protects children. I don’t know a place where He commands us to spank them when they misbehave. I sit in many mom circles, and when this topic comes up, moms don’t know why they spank. They just do it.
This topic has brought me so much confusion, and I am willing to change my view if the Lord leads me that way. I need help understanding why I should spank if the Scriptures command it. Or am I right in believing that the verses in Proverbs are being taken out of context by the believers who practice spanking? Thank you for your time; I hope you can help! – Anonymous
You can hover over each verse to read a popup box that shows the verses.
The most astonishing thing about this question is the comment about moms who do not know why they do it; they just do it. You must understand why you do it.
Husbands must be involved in the process. If these moms do not know why, it reflects their husband’s lack of leadership. Husbands should also be leading in disciplining the child, as it reflects a better picture of God the Father while allowing the wife to fulfill her complementary role as a wife.
Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.
In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).