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"Spare the rod and spoil the child" is a quote that most of us are all too familiar with. What does this actually mean? Should Christians today discipline by this rule?

To understand this quote one must first understand that the term "rod" is loosely translated. A more accurate word would be "staff" in relation to a shepherd's staff used in sheep herding. In Biblical times, a shepherd's job was of utmost importance. A family's flock of sheep was their means of money, food, and clothing. If the man in charge let even just one sheep get away, he had basically failed in his duties.

In relation to discipline, the shepherd's staff is mentioned in the Bible. How would a shepherd use his staff when herding sheep? Would he strike the sheep to make them move? Would he use it to hurt them if they went astray? No. The shepherd would use it to tap the sheep's sides to guide them in the right direction. If a sheep needed help to get up from a fall, the shepherd would use the crook of his staff to help the animal to stand. The shepherd cared for his flock, and would not cause physical harm to it.

In this same manner, I believe we are called to discipline our children. I believe a better wording of this scripture would be "spare discipline and you hate your son... " which is a closer quote of the actual Bible verse:
"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."
Proverbs 13:24

The Bible absolutely makes certain that believers heed its words and rules for disciplining children, but spiritual discipline is what is most often spoken of. If American parents cared as deeply for their children's relationship with Christ as they care for how they act at a restaurant, I believe our society would be in much better shape.

It is sad that for many, "spare the rod, spoil the child" is the only Bible verse they quote, and only because they want justification for hitting their children. One must remember that Proverbs, though a viable part of the Bible, is in the Old Testament. If one wants to keep these rules, assuming the verse does imply you should hit a child, then one should also keep in following with other Old Testament rules. Who would like to practise the rules about slaughtering cows for pentance or killings of other kinds to beg forgiveness of God for your sins? Any takers on these rules? Anyone? No one? Interesting...

A wise lady at a past church I attended once said in regards to this questionable Bible verse: "That one's easy... can you imagine

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