Why children don't need discipline (parents need it)

Many parents think children need discipline, and that it is a no-brainer. This is a common misconception many parents make about children, thinking they need imposed structure system when they do not. What most parents don't know is that children need a good, sturdy Christian example.

It says in Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long upon the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to a certain standard of Christian discipline in parents in relation to children, namely one that is entitled to nothing, and grateful for everything, especially when they win over their child's trust and affection. Children owe nothing to parents, and parents owe children everything, with this leading to a chastened up example for children to follow, backed up by instruction from parents in the form of non-binding advice and guidance, as denoted by the Greek root word νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to a form of righteous test where parents gave instruction to children hoping they would heed it, but when they didn't heed instruction, it was assumed they couldn't understand the instructions given their age and development, and were forgiven, just like Christ would forgive a helpless sinner. All of this is weighed by the Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and is one of the words that refers to damages, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including the slightest of offensive touch or contact. The commandment not to provoke your child to wrath was intended by the Apostle Paul as uplifting the Law prohibiting all punishments and controlling measures in parenting, in which case the penalties for punishing a child were severe in the Old Testament, where it was seen as kidnapping and thus worthy of death. The seven verses in Proverbs that depict the rod of correction are repealed verses, meaning they are only specific to the context, and reference a specific, dated form of judicial corporal punishments - the 40 minus 1 lashes with the rod of correction, as a last warning before a criminal offender, who had to be an ADULT child to the Hebrew parent. Children could not be held culpable for a criminal offense or civil wrong under Jewish law. Punishment and controlling measures towards children were a church offense in the Early Church, with punitive parents and all other abusive parents being subject to inquisition and then excommunication.

Children need motivation to follow the example of parents, and need to want to be like parents. The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable trust, in response to unconditional Christian love, as denoted by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao) which refers to putting children first, and parents last, to the point of dutiful and selfless submission. Attachment parenting was the established norm in ancient Hebrew and Christian cultures. Think a mother holding pales of water, with a young child wrapped up in swaddling blankets next to the bosom of the mother, being nourished with mother's milk, with an older child in the nude tagging alongside the mother as she gathered water to cook dinner. This was what Christian parenting was like in biblical times, and secure attachment was used to win over the hearts of children, with children wanting to be like parents, following in their footsteps and example.

Children don't need discipline. Parents need discipline, as you need discipline to model it to children. The key word to avoid as a parent is πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and is the Greek root word denoting entitlement. Entitlement is wanting things from or of children to the point of imposition. However, why want anything from a child at all? Ask your child, and you shall receive. Demand, and you get nothing but resentment from a child. Parents simply are leaders of their children, not authority figures, and are not to demand authority from children ever. Parents can only ask children to do something, and give advice, but if there is a secure bond beforehand, children will heed advice and do as they are asked. Parents are to be grateful for whatever cooperation they have with their child, not demanding or expecting anymore, simply earning more cooperation by continuing to love their child.

The depraved and entitled parents will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them burn in the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!