Discipline that Develops the Heart
Ten Biblical Principles for Winning Your Child’s Heart
How do you discipline your children? Here are ten Biblical principles for handling discipline biblically and in a way that truly develops the heart of your child.
Discipline that develops the heart…
1. Is Controlled and Premeditated—It doesn’t fly off the handle or out of control.
Proverbs 16:32, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
Colossians 3:21, “Fathers provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
2. Is Biblically Principled and Corrective—It rests upon a Higher Authority—God and His Word, and isn’t easily manipulated.
Proverbs 19:18, “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.”
3. Is Instructive and Nurturing—It moves beyond reaction and actually instructs and trains.
Proverbs 4:1-4, “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. 3 For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. 4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.”
4. Is Focused on Beliefs then Behavior—It seeks to understand the beliefs that drive behavior, not merely change behavior.
Proverbs 23:26, “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.”
Proverbs 4:1-2, “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.”
5. Is Focused on Restoring Relationships—It always seeks a stronger relationship, not a wounded one.
Col. 3:21, “Fathers provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
6. Is Listening and Encouraging—It contemplates, considers, and listens to the feelings and expressions of the heart.
Psalm 103:13, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.”
Col. 3:21, “Fathers provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
1 Thessalonians 2:11, “As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children.”
7. Is Prayerful and Christ Centered—It brings Christ to the forefront and maintains a humble spirit.
James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
8. Is Selfless and Contextual—It is for the profit of the child and helps the child see the larger context of blessing.
Hebrews 12:10, “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”
9. Is Forward Looking—It blesses the heart with hope and an “I believe in you” spirit.
Proverbs 4:10, “Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.”
1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
10. Is Obedient to a Higher Authority—It flows from a heart that is obviously obedient to the Heavenly Father.
Proverbs 24:21, ” My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:”
Proverbs 23:26, “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.”
Continue the discussion: How have you seen God bless these principles in your own life or family?
