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Friday!
Proverbs!
Apply yourself to discipline and listen to words of knowledge.

Don't withhold discipline from a youth; if you punish him with a rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 23:12-13 CSB
V13 is our target today & this proverb has been used to justify all kinds of outrageous behaviour.
Jesus in Matt 18:6 gives a dire warning to people who harm children.
V12 talks to us about being disciplined or corrected, and it's the same word in v13. 
The same word. 
This is not written directly at parents - the nuclear family we take as 'normal' today is a relatively recent way of living in community. 
It seems to be directed at the adults in the community, firstly where are we as adults getting our wisdom, instruction and correction from?
And then what happens when we apply that in the life of a child?
Sometimes they don't like it, just as I don't always like God gently nudging me about my actions, attitudes and thoughts. 
A child sometimes responds with a big emotional response, and this proverb is saying don't be afraid of that, don't respond or live in fear of that. 
It starts with us applying diligently God's truth and understanding his heart in our own lives, and just as God patiently, gently, lovingly nudges us, so we can do the same in the lives of those in our community.
#proverbs
#wisdom
#somethingtochewon
#itsaheartthing

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