IMITATE JEHOVAH WHEN TRAINING YOUR CHILDREN - Discipline-What It Means

Discipline-What It Means

For fear of being accuse of abuse-physical, verbal, or emotional-some parents shy away from correcting their children.  We need not harbor such fears. The word "discipline" as used in the Bible does not imply any kind of abuse or cruelty.  The Greek word for "discipline" primarily relates to instruction, education, correction and, at times, firm but loving chastisement. 

In providing such discipline, Jehovah God sets a perfect example.  Comparing Jehovah to a human father, the apostle Paul wrote:  "Don't all parents correct their children? . . .Our human fathers correct us for a short time, and they do it as they think best.  But God corrects us for our own good, because he wants us to be holy."  (Hebrews 12:7, 10) Contemporary English Version) Yes, Jehovah disciplines his people to the end that they may be holy, or pure.  We can certainly learn much about disciplining children by considering how Jehovah has trained his people.- Deuteronomy 32:4; Matthew  7:11; Ephesians  5:1. (  people on this earth, since we are sinful, imperfect humans, we cannot be totally pure. To think otherwise, is delusional, but we can be holy. Pure or purity is someone who has not been touched by sin. We were born into and are sinful, imperfect humans and will be until Armageddon).

Next time: Love-The Motivating Force

The Watchtower, 2001