CHANGE Magazine, a Creflo Dollar Publication

Don’t Break Your Children’s Spirit

by Taffi Dollar

The way we choose to discipline our children can either encourage them to fulfill their God-ordained purpose or cause them to be fearful and discouraged. Colossians 3:21 says, “Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children—do not be hard on them or harass them; lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated; do not break their spirit (The Amplified Bible).

God wants us to discipline our children. However, it should be carried out in a way that doesn’t instill fear or cause them to be frustrated. Children easily become frustrated when we fail to be consistent and clear about our expectations. They need to know what is expected of them, how to carry out what is expected, and the consequences that follow when rules are broken.

Here are several tips that will help you discipline your children using godly wisdom and love.

1. Never administer discipline when you are angry, frustrated, or resentful. Don’t be too hard on them or expect too much from them; this will only frustrate them.
2. Set reasonable expectations and limits. Explain to your children what is not acceptable before they are disciplined. Also, make them aware that they are held accountable for their actions.
3. Respond with the correct course of action when your children disobey you. However, do not spank or discipline them for every little thing they do. This type of parenting communicates rejection instead of love.
4. Be guided by love. First Corinthians 13:8 says love never fails. Remember, discipline should always be carried out in love.
5. Do not abuse them! I believe in spanking, but any type of abuse is unacceptable and bad parenting. Proverbs 22:15 says, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him” (The Amplified Bible). This scripture is not saying that it is okay to abuse your children. Correction is a sign of love. However, bruises are a sign of abuse.

In conclusion, be sure to always pray before you discipline your children. Ask God for the wisdom to know how to handle situations as they occur. Also, pray with your children after they are disciplined and have them ask God to forgive them for their disobedience, and give them the strength and desire to obey. Then, warmly hug your children and explain why they were disciplined and how they can avoid errors in judgment in the future.

It is important for your children to know that, although they have misbehaved, mom and dad still love them, and will always be there for them. Additionally, it is important for you to know that God is expecting you to love your children enough to train them in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). And you can do it without breaking their spirit.

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Table of Contents:

• Publisher's Statement
• How to Recognize God’s Voice
• Hear and Obey
• Don’t Break Your Children’s Spirit
• Preventing Hypertension
• Create an Inner Image of Success
• What People Are Saying
• Winning in Battle
• <- RETURN TO CURRENT ISSUE