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How Would Jesus View 
Spanking As A Method Of Discipline?

By Glenn Davis

Does the title with Jesus and spanking children sound shocking? We do not usually think of Jesus in such terms. We have been trained, often, by liberals and humanists to think of a feminized Jesus, meek and mild. One who would never raise His voice or His hand. It is interesting to note that, although Jesus was - for most of His adult life - a carpenter making many things with His hands, the only thing that Scripture directly records that Jesus made with His hands was a whip with which He "spanked" wayward adults. Jesus actually did this twice, once at the beginning of His ministry [John 2] and once at the end of His ministry [Matt. 21].

"So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables." John 2:15

What Is Spanking?

What is spanking?  What is its purpose?  When and how should it be used?  What would Jesus think about it?  We will explore all of these topics, starting with a definition.

"A number of slaps on the buttocks delivered in rapid succession..." The Free Dictionary

The Purpose

What is the purpose of spanking children? Done properly, a spanking is a loving act to train a child for their own good. Parents are responsible for training their children in the right way to live. A Godly parent wants their children to become responsible adults who love God, have good families of their own, serve people, and are productive in this present world. Spanking children is one of many tools used in achieving these goals. It is certainly not the only tool, but it can be effective in the right situation and if administered correctly.

Spanking children by "slapping" the buttocks with an open hand or some other object is intended to cause a stinging pain without causing any bodily harm. It sends a strong message to the child's brain that a certain activity is harmful and should be avoided. It helps them make better choices in the future. Done correctly, it does not "teach violence" [we have bad TV and music for that], but instead teaches that actions have consequences, and if those actions are sinful, the consequences are painful.

The humanists, who object to spanking children, have a wrong presupposition. They assume a child is born innocent and is naturally good. At worst, they feel, the child is a "blank slate" which can be written on for good or bad. This reflects their religious commitment to the goodness of human nature.

The Bible is plain:

"Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." Ps. 51:5, NIV

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Pr. 22:15, KJV

"Young people are prone to foolishness and fads; the cure comes through tough-minded discipline." Pr. 22:15, The Message

We are born with a sin nature, every one of us. Our natural tendency is to do wrong. Adam, Eve, and Jesus are the only three people in all time who have not had a sin nature to pull them in the wrong direction. While Jesus Christ is the only permanent answer to the sin problem, children have to be taught to control their sinful desires.

Self-control is a basic life skill. If people don't learn it when they are young, it will haunt them for the rest of their lives. They may wonder why they can't make relationships work, why it is hard to hold a job, etc. Often, it can be traced back to a lack of basic self-control skills that loving parents should have taught them when they were children. Now life is more difficult, and lessons are harder to learn.

"Don't be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won't kill them. A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death." Pr. 23:13-14, The Message

When?

When should parental spanking take place? As said above, spanking children is only one tool. The goal is to train a child in self-control and to make good, healthy [physically, mentally, and spiritually] choices. Parents must choose which tool to use to correct the offensive behaviour. Parents must be careful not to expect a child to do something that is too hard for their age/maturity level. Actions which are the result of immaturity, childish silliness, or forgetfulness can be dealt with in a less dramatic way. However, actions that come from rebellion, defiance, or direct disobedience must be dealt with swiftly and completely, regardless of age. Different ages and personalities require different tools, but the challenge cannot go unanswered, or the child learns he is the center of the universe and other people are merely toys for him to use or abuse as he sees fit. Spanking children is often the best response to direct challenges from the child, but it is not the only possible response.

Parents must not spank out of their own anger, frustration, or embarrassment. The focus is on the child. It is to train the child. If the parent is spanking - or using any discipline tool, for that matter - because of their own feelings, then they are in the wrong and are not trying to train the child but only to vindicate themselves. They need to learn self-control before administering correction.

Both parents and children should be clear on the offence or types of offences that warrant a spanking. Rules and expectations need to be clearly laid out. The younger the child, the more obedience is required without explanation. The older the child, the more reasons you can give so they understand why certain behaviour is wrong. The parent should also decide in advance the maximum number of "slaps" and never exceed it. Three is often considered a good number to send a message to the brain. Note: some parents give a little tap which is hardly felt, if felt at all, and call it a spanking. A real spanking is something a child does not want to have repeated!

Teenage spanking should never occur. It tends to foster feelings of resentment and anger, even if the spanking is totally deserved. If a child has not learned basic self-control by the time they are teenagers, then other tools should be used and spanking "retired." In most cases, if spanking children has been used correctly in the younger years, it will be a rare occurrence as the child approaches pre-teen years.

How?

If the child is school-age, the parent needs to be especially sensitive about spanking a child of the opposite sex. If possible, the parent of the same sex should administer the spanking. The purpose is to train the child, not to embarrass or humiliate them.

After the spanking, the parent should spend time hugging and praying with the child to reassure them of their love. The spanking was because the parent loved the child and wanted his/her best. It was not because the child was "bad" but because they did something bad.

Spanking children by their parents has come under attack in the humanist-centred countries of our world. In Canada, it is illegal to spank a child under two or over twelve, but there are always voices who want to eliminate parental spanking altogether. There are several possible reasons for this, but two of them are:

1. A genuine attempt to stop child abuse. Child abuse is a terrible thing and deserves the full punishment of the law, but proper spanking of children, by loving parents, is not child abuse. It is like trying to ban all cars because some people drink and drive. You deal with the offenders, not the responsible people.

2. The humanist wants, at all costs, to avoid responsibility to God. They want the freedom to be irresponsible. Spanking reminds them that there is right and wrong. God does exist, and they, too, will be held responsible for their actions. Eliminating spanking children removes one more reminder that their fantasy world of independence from God is wrong.

Jesus And Spanking

So, is spanking children something Jesus would do? Jesus is the ultimate in Love. If being an earthly parent was something that had been in the Father's plan for Jesus, then spanking His children would have been something He would have done. He would have loved them too much to allow them to grow up without learning basic self-control in the ways of God.

Spiritually speaking, God the Father disciplines His spiritual children for their benefit even when it is painful.

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?  If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!  They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Heb. 12:5-11, NIV

Spanking Children
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