The Right Way to Discipline
Shownotes
It’s easy to love your kids when they’re behaving, but what does love look like when they need correction? Real discipline is an act of love, not a release of anger.
Chris Muiña concludes his study of Proverbs 13 week with a topic every dad has an opinion on: disciplining their children. Proverbs 13:24 says the father who spares the rod hates his child, but the one who loves his child is careful to discipline him. Speaking as a father of three, Chris explains that refusing to correct a child isn’t kindness. It withholds the boundaries, wisdom, and direction that a child needs. But he also draws a hard line between discipline born of love and punishment born of frustration.
Discipline says, “I love you too much to let you keep going down this path.” Anger says, “You made me mad, so you’re going to pay for it.” Every father has to learn the difference. The goal is never to make our kids afraid of us. It’s to help them become who God created them to be. They need a dad who will say no, set boundaries and enforce consequences, and then hug them, explain why, forgive them, and remind them they’re loved. Our children are learning whether authority means fear or security, and we can’t expect self-control from them if we don’t model it ourselves. Before we correct our kids, we need to let God correct us. And if you’ve disciplined out of anger before, you haven’t ruined your child’s future. Go to them, own it, and show them that Dad is strong enough to lead and humble enough to apologize.
Verse of the Day: Proverbs 13:24
Your Daily Man-Up Challenge
Look for one opportunity today to lead your child intentionally. When correction is needed, pause first and ask yourself, “Am I correcting my child because I love them or because I’m angry?” Then correct with calmness, consistency, and clarity. Explain what was wrong, set the consequence, and finish with “I love you too much not to correct you.” If you lose your temper, man up and apologize.
NEW TO THE MEN’S MORNING DEVOTIONAL?
Welcome!
The Men's Morning Devotional is a podcast to help you man up in every way - in your faith, your family and your work - by spending a few minutes getting into the Word before you face the world.
Every weekday, you'll get a challenge and encouragement from Scripture that speaks to the pressures you carry as a husband, a father, and a leader. You’ll get truth you can take straight into your day. And you’ll know you’re not standing alone, because men everywhere are waking up to fight the same battle.
Your hosts are Steve Alessi, pastor of Metro Life Church of Miami, FL, along with his son, Chris Alessi, and his sons-in-law Christopher Muina, Christian Calatayud, and Dani Burgos.
Join us every weekday to man up!
MORE PODCASTS YOU'LL ENJOY
Find more podcasts about faith and family from Metro Life Studios, including:
My Morning Devotional
The Family Business with The Alessis
The Mary and Martha Show
You can listen to all of these shows on our Metro Life Studios app here!