The bible says, if you spare the rod, you'll spoil the child. Meaning spanking is good for them. Since I don't

Question

since I don't spank my son is that a sin? He is very well behaved, and when he occasionally is naughty, grounding is good enough to make him understand his behavior was unacceptable. I just don't want to spank him. How about adults being spanked for pleasure, is that something god would approve of?

Answer 1

I have only been spanked as a concenting adult. never as a child and I Greatly appreciate both facts stated here!!! And I was a very obedient child, and am now (normally) a law obiding citizen whom has NEVER been arrested.

Answer 2

Well, you're quoting from Proverbs (I think), which is basically just a large jumble of "conventional wisdom." Some of the nuggets seem to contradict; in reality, they just apply in certain contexts.

Here is this verse:
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

"Spare the rod..." is simply saying that, without discipline, the child will become unruly and self-centered.

I've seen two interpretations here. One is that the rod was used to "tap" the sheep back into line -- not hurting them or abusing them, but used as a way to nudge them onto the right track. Obviously, kids need to be "nudged" to keep on course.

A rod also symbolized authority (i.e., such as a scepter). So if the parent does not take leadership, the child will grow to be out of control and undisciplined.

We only physically reprimanded our children when they were too young to understand any other form of discipline and the ramification of them disobeying would have caused irreparable harm. We never did it in anger, or in an uncontrolled way. As the kids got older, our "rod" became other forms of discipline (time-out, grounding, loss of privileges, suffering the logical ramifications of their actions, etc.)

Our kids are lively, free-thinking... and well-behaved, even though they get into their share of messes, as every kid will. I've had to watch kids acting out in the grocery store far too many times, where the child is obviously in charge and the parent is unwilling to "nudge."

Discipline might seem "mean" to some parents, but it's worse for the kid (and those in relationship with the kid) as an adult, if s/he is never disciplined as a kid. We need the structure in order to thrive.


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Adults being spanked for pleasure? This verse doesn't really apply to that.

It seems to be more of an issue of why they enjoy being spanked, what needs they are trying to fill by being spanked, and how they interact with (and perceive) others in the middle of that fixation. At core, it's a heart issue.

Answer 3

If you can raise him to be a fine, upstanding, respectful, young man without spanking then why spank? The Bible says that the Rod and Reproof set things straight. It says to LISTEN to discipline not FEEL discipline. The rod can refer to physical chastisement. That does not mean it exclusively promotes physical discipline. You seem to care about what God wants. If you really do then talk to Jehovah's Witnesses. We to truly care about Jehovah and his word and rules and would love to help you with any questions about the Bible you may have.
P.S. When I say talk to Jehovah's Witnesses I mean in the real world. Not everyone on-line is honest. Just because someone says they are a JW or even a man or woman you can never know for sure.

Answer 4

>>>The bible says, if you spare the rod, you'll spoil the child. Meaning spanking is good for them<<<

No, that's not what it means.

This verse, as with so many others in the Bible, is speaking metaphorically.

This verse simply means that children who are not taught right from wrong, who are not given loving discipline, will become maladjusted adults later in life.

It doesn't mean we have to hit kids. It doesn't mean, as you said, that "spanking is good for them."

It simply means that parents have a duty to discipline their kids when they behave badly -- but "discipline" does not necessarily have to be of the corporal-punishment variety.

In your case, grounding the child seems to work just fine.

Answer 5

Spanking may or may not be necessary with a child, some have a temperment that is disciplined easily with other forms. It sounds like your son falls into the second category. The passage refers to disciplining your child so they are not spoiled, if your son is not spoiled, you are doing a great job.

adult spanking has nothing to do with discipline or this passage. What you describe is sexual in nature and falls under the 6th commandment with the other sexual acts.

Answer 6

That doesn't have anything to do with spanking. The 'rod' is a 'shepherd's crook'... used for guiding and prodding sheep. "Spare the rod, spoil the child' is a metaphor, meaning that the child will not thrive and be well adjusted unless you provide the necessary guidance.

Answer 7

Spanking means discipline. It just so happens that spanking was the accepted norm for so long. I very seldom spanked mine either. I used a lot a creative discipline.

Spanking between to MARRIED consenting adults--I have no opinion on that one.

Answer 8

In this scripture "the rod" doesnt necessarily mean spanking them. It just simply means dicipline. And your obviously doin a great job in raising your son, just keep diciplining him. i dont believe in spanking either. i am also a Christian. Just keep following God. He will keep you on the right path. Have a blessed day!

Answer 9

A swat on the tush is needed from time to time for some... if your son is as you say... congratulations... He sounds like a fine young man

as to the other more kinky ?.... God probably would not approve... if it causes injury most clearly that would be a sin... to deliberatly harm the body is a sin.

Answer 10

I'm with you. I'm a born-again Christian and I refuse to spank my children. There are other means of discipline that are more gentle and loving and get the desired response.