Punishment is too often the emotional reaction of a parent instead of the fulfillment of previously communicated consequence for wrong. God punished Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter three. But what preceded the punishment was training them responsibility (tend and keep the garden Genesis 2:15), positive training (you may eat of these trees Genesis 2:16) and negative training (don't eat of this tree Genesis 2:17). Finally, God clearly explained the consequences of disobedience as he said, �you shall surely die� ( Genesis 2:17). The word �surely� emphasizes the fact that this consequence would become reality if they disobeyed!
They disobeyed God. God didn�t come down and count to ten or say I�ll give you a warning up to three. He said, �you will �surely� die,� and the punishment came immediately. They were given pain in child bearing and in fighting thorn and thistles. They were driven from their home and promised they would return to dust as a result of their sin.
Where is the screaming and name calling by God the parent? Where is the rage of anger and fury of irrational actions by the Father? The perfect Father shows us the calm, strict manner of discipline. Teach responsibility, train through positive and negative commands, give clear consequences for wrong and be �sure� to always punish as previously specified.
Some mothers and fathers are worn out when they take their unruly children to public places. These same children wear down the emotions of parents even in their own homes. In frustration the parents say, �I�m tired of fighting with them.� don't ever allow disobedience to go unpunished and don't ever allow punishment to become an emotional battle. �Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul� ( Proverbs 29:17). Children who are punished consistently, following clear training, don't wear parents out in the same way children who are not punished.
Too often our inconsistency (one of the greatest enemies of godly parenting) causes us to do our children harm. Proverbs 19:18-19 teaches us if we don't punish our children we are setting our heart on their destruction. Can you imagine wanting your child to fail? But then in verse 19 he warns not to rescue him from his punishment. How many times have parents turned their head the other way or pled with the other parent not to punish a disobedient child? The Proverb writer says if we rescue them once we will have to continue doing it. Eventually we might find ourselves rescuing them from the principle�s office, the dissatisfied employer or even jail. Godly parents don't rescue children from punishment, they righteously enforce it due to their love for their child!