Correction Vs. Punishment (Bringing Up Children Biblically Based On The Original Language And Full Context Of Scripture) part 2

Correction Vs. Punishment (Bringing Up Children Biblically Based On The Original Language And Full Context Of Scripture) part 2

On my last post "Bringing Up Children Biblically Based On The Original Language And Full Context Of Scripture", we have seen that throughout the scriptures that God does NOT punish His children, but He Corrects His children. If a parent should be a model of God, parents should not punish their children either, but correction is a necessary part ...of bringing up children.
In this post, I am going to share some of the differences between punishment and correction.

Punishment exercises vengeance for a wrong doing.
Correction exercises prudent instruction.

Punishment is severe and abusive.
Correction does what is necessary to teach and instill instruction.

Punishment tears a person down.
Correction addresses an issue and builds up the person.

Punishment promotes negativity.
Correction gives positive instruction.

Punishment discourages a person.
Correction encourages a person to turn from evil and to do good.

Both punishment and correction can be unpleasant, but punishment tortures a person and causes harm, where correction does not torture and is for the good of the person.

Punishment is harmful.
Correction causes no harm.

Punishment is done in anger and wrath.
Correction is done with love.

Punishment is often violent.
Correction is prudent and absent of violence.

Punishment: "You did this wrong, so I am going to do that to you."
Correction: "I am doing this because it will benefit you so that you can learn from this."

Punishment produces destructive criticism.
Correction produces constructive criticism.

Punishment has no regard to a child's mental, emotional or physical health or well being and often harms those things.
Correction takes a high regard to a child's mental, emotional, and physical health and well being and makes sure that those things are not harmed.

Too many parents use punishment instead of correction. No where in the scriptures does the Bible promote punishment, but there are all kinds of scriptures that encourage correction.

We should never withhold correction from a child, but we should avoid punishment at all costs.

When you choose to exercise punishment, think about how punishment has hurt you and how it was destructive, then think of a constructive way of teaching the child. Willful disobedience may have consequences, but the consequences should be done to bring repentance, instruction, and encouragement to do good.

Rodney Calmes