Is it right to leave a bruise on a child? "The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly." (Prov 20:30) Is this verse referring to the discipline of children or something else?
Is It Right?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Ulsterman, Sep 28, 2006.
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SBCPreacher Active MemberSite Supporter
It kind of depends on how the bruise got there. If it is a result of uncontrolled anger of a parent or other abuse, no. (But they are hard to wash off, ya' know.)
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why does discipline have to go so far as to bruise one who is 1/3 of your size?
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Proverbs 20:30 has has absolutely NOTHING to do with children! It is saying that corporal punishment can help restrain evil. Several verses refer to fools whose backs are beaten (Prov. 10:13, 14:3, 19:29).
Is it right to intentionally bruise a child during discipline? ABSOLUTELY NOT! This is one reason why no discipline should be administered while the parent is angry. -
underscore,
it doesn't have to....but some people bruise easier than others, and a simple, controlled spanking can sometimes leave a bruise.
However, I do not believe this verse is talking about the disciplining of children anyway. I believe it is an illustration that sometimes a wound looks worse before it gets better. -
Discipline is to make a disciple of, not to physically abuse.
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Hi everyone, I'm a new member and look forward to talking and sharing. This subject reminds me of a Charles Stanley study we did in Sunday school a few years ago. He said to use the H.A.L.T method before making any big decisions.
Never be:
too H ungry
too A ngry
too L onely or
too T ired before you make any important decisions.
I've always remembered this and I think it's very good advice in many situations.
And no, you should never bruise a child!
Blessings :wavey: (I love these little smiley things)
Amy -
Scarlett O. ModeratorModerator
I believe in gentle spanking.....on rare occasions and on the "behind" only, as part of a child's correction. And that is only if other means of correction have not worked. And, if the spanking does not correct the behavior....doNOT spank for the same offense again.....because spanking obviously isn't working.
This verse cannot be taken at face value. If it were, then the pastor could beat people in the church or the parents could beat children or each other or the missionaries could beat people black and blue for correction's sake.
If it is to be taken at face value, then people in authority over other people could "cane" them and leave stripes or use a whip and leave stripes.
What is the "blueness of the wound". It's the soreness, the tenderness of a physical wound. An area of the body that is bruised is usually tender to the touch.
To me, and this is just my opinion only, this verse is talking about when we, as humanity, receive correction from God.
Sometimes we receive severe rebukes from God Almighty and it's painful. And sometimes these rebukes cause us to turn from evil and repent.
And what do physical stripes from a beating with something that would leave "stripe" marks have to do with you intestinal system?
Nothing.
I believe, (again, just me) that correction, even severe correction from our loving God, sometimes changes us.....from within.
This verse, taken at face value, give us all permission to physically beat people, leaving marks on their bodies, and making them sick to the point that they obey us blindly.
It's figurative language. God will get out attention if we ignore His word and disobey Him. And sometimes that hurts.....physically, emotionally, spiritually, individually, or corporately and sometimes leaves possibly permanent reminders that He is not playing around.
God loves us very much and would never "hurt" us.
But I thank God that He loves us enough to give even the most severest of rebukes to spare us from our own filth and to bring us to repentance.
Proverbs 20:30 is NOT giving any of us permission to physically leave marks on anyone.
Just my ramblings. -
I too believe that this verse has nothing to do with the discipline of a child, but I have heard it referred to in that context. I believe there is nothing wrong with physically punishing a child provided the punishment is controlled, and the parent is restrained in his/her actions. I am glad to be with the majority of you on this one, and relieved that this is the majority view!