Depravity Reeks

Scripture makes clear that man is born rebellious against God.  His heart is bent towards his own ways and against God.  All parts of his life are tainted and effected by sin; thus in his sin, man reeks of fear, shame, and guilt. 

• Mark 7:21-22: For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

• Luke 6:45: The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

• Romans 8:7: For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

There are two extremes: not spanking and abusing a child.  Neither is an acceptable form of parenting.  For those who try things other than spanking might, by the grace of Christ, still produce a child who follows Jesus.  But I fear they'll raise kids who become adults without respect for authority and themselves be in danger of hell fire.  The same could be said of children from abusive situations.

Scripture makes clear that we are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8); so the reality is that spankings in and of themselves can't save anyone.  The blood of Jesus alone is mighty to save.  But the Bible teaches that spankings help children connect sin with pain and thus want to avoid it, which God can use to turn their hearts toward him. 

If sin is really so deep and entrenched in the human heart, how does anything but spankings take the sinfulness in their little hearts seriously?  Spankings are a type of judgment but they're a judgment equaling love.  Who says a parent can't also abuse his child by failing to drive home the child's sinfulness?  Does a time out really drive anything home?  Reasoning biblically with a child about heart issues is important, but these discussions with children were never meant to be entirely divorced from spankings--pain connected with sin.  They teach a great lesson about the need to flee our sin, escape hell, and delight in God.  In the words of the truly wise: "If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol" (Proverbs 23:14).

Part 1 Intro

Part 2 Scripture Speaks

Part 3 Modern Minds Speak

(ESV)

See also 12/15/2008 - The Gospel for Children: Not Moralism (Part 1)