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Keep Pavlov's Dog (Hot Sauce) Away from My Child
An ABC News Article reports, "The practice of "hot saucing" a child's tongue as a method of discipline may seem cruel to some parents, but those who regularly use the punishment say it teaches their charges valuable and long-lasting lessons."
The child discipline expert quoted in the article claims that causing pain to a child's mouth works better than other forms of discipline. "It's a logical consequence. If you cause somebody pain, either by the words you say by lying and not being a trustworthy person or by biting, this is a logical consequence. It's your mouth that's the offender," she said.
The problem with this practice is that it is backward. The motivation behind this "discipline" is based upon behavior modification and the belief that the child is a highly evolved animal. Nothing could be further from the case. A child is a gift from the Lord created in the image of God. The purpose of discipline is not to modify behavior but rather to shepherd a child's heart; helping a child change from the inside out by pointing him or her to God. We are not called to produce well behaved Pharisees, who because of the threat of outside pressure behave acceptibly, but rather children who love God and His Law, whose hearts are right, and as a result are motivated to do what is right.
Proverbs 22:6 ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Posted by tim at August 25, 2004 5:31 AM
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Comments
The purpose of discipline is not to modify behavior but rather to shepherd a child's heart; helping a child change from the inside out by pointing him or her to God. We are not called to produce well behaved Pharisees, who because of the threat of outside pressure behave acceptibly, but rather children who love God and His Law. . .
With this comment, I am in full agreement with you.
However, I take issue with the book you recommended along with this statement. In spite of the beautiful imagery of the title "Shepherding a Child's Heart", I find that the book focuses very much on externals and outward behaviour.
Posted by: TulipGirl at September 16, 2004 11:55 AM
Thanks for the input - I have an opposite impression of the book. Is there a different text you would recommend?
Posted by: tim at September 17, 2004 3:34 AM
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