Effective discipline causes growth in our children, but discipline can be go wrong if it is done in a way that does not honour God or mimic the love of Christ to our children. To discipline children is about more than inflicting some kind of punishment to cause them to behave the way we want them to, and when we see God's fatherly love for us, we will realise this more.

God has always been a Father to us who has never withheld His love to anyone, even if it means having to discipline us. We can learn from the way God disciplines us and then apply that discipline to the discipline we give to our children.

Discipline is wanting the best for our children

What sets crude punishment apart from Godly discipline is the heart. Behind the heart of Godly discipline is the desire to see the best come to our children, not the best come to us.

James 1:12 says, "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

Just as God desires that we receive our crown of life, let us desire to be instruments for our children to receive their crown of life.

Discipline is showing love and care

I was taught a very simple but powerful principle at a parenting seminar, that discipline must always be expressed in love. That is why we refrain from using hands to inflict pain on children because they were meant for expressing love and affirmation after pain is inflicted with a neutral object. Proverbs 3:11-12 tells us, "My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights."

Discipline is introducing Godly character

When we discipline our children, we reveal to them God's heart and character by directing them to behaviours and attitudes that God would have us grow in. Psalm 119:75 says "I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me."

Discipline shows the righteousness and justice of God in a way that carefully points children to His character.