Naturally, unbelievers are opposed to discipline...

(Tim, w/thanks to David L.) While we're on the subject of "Duh!" studies, Pediatrics just released a study demonstrating that medical doctors and their researchers think the word 'hit' (as in "parents who hit their child") is synonymous with the word 'spank' (as in "parents who spank their child").

Time reports:

Compared with children who were not hit, those who were spanked were more likely to be defiant, demand immediate satisfaction of their wants and needs, get frustrated easily, have temper tantrums and lash out physically against others.

Rather than spanking, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends "time outs."

And now a pastoral word to parents: if you're not inclined to trust paleontologists on the age of the earth or women's studies professors on the meaning of femininity, why would you trust your pediatrician on raising godly Covenant children?

In all sorts of areas of our lives, our choice is...

simple: either we trust the Word of God or we trust experts who get paid to have opinions the world likes and prove them with studies that will provide the world with smug self-affirmation. The discipline of our precious children is just one more of those areas, and it's way too important to allow these Cretans any influence inside the Christian home.

Scripture says much about the rod of discipline:

He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently. (Proverbs 13:24)

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)

Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. 14 You shall strike him with the rod And rescue his soul from Sheol. (Proverbs 23:13, 14).

Trust the Word of God and your sons and daughters will live. Trust godless experts with degrees and your sons and daughters will die.

This is not to say all uses of spanking are godly. Absolutely not! Many mothers and fathers use spanking for the release of their own anger, and this is sin calling for intervention by the other parent or the church, if necessary. Nevertheless, the improper use of any tool does not invalidate its proper use, and nowhere is this clearer than the question of child discipline.

Remember, our Lord told us: “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished" (Matthew 5:18). What is recorded above concerning the rod of discipline is much more than "the smallest letter or stroke" of the Law.

Trust God, mothers and fathers. Use the rod of discipline so that the soul of your sons and daughters may live. And if you're fearful of your temper or unsure of the best method, talk to your pastor, your elders, or your churches' Titus 2 women.

We have been called by God to help you.