Lenient discipline produces undisciplined children and countries. Strict discipline produces disciplined children and countries. I will give you an example of this from The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot.

“Singapore is one of the cleanest, most efficiently managed, and drug-free cities in the world. Stamped across the entry visas in large red letters are these words: DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG DEALING. It works. It not only saves the city for the citizens, but it saves many a one who would be tempted by the money to deal in drugs. His life is worth more to him than money. The law, then clearly stated and consistently enforced, is his salvation. The city itself is also saved from much crime.”

CNBC reports that, “Singapore’s crime rate is so low that may shops don’t even lock up.” This is how America used to be. Criminals were persecuted swiftly and crime was low. Murderers were given the death penalty. Children could play outside in the neighborhoods until dark without parents being worried about them being stolen. Swift punishment for wrong behavior is a good thing. Children were spanked consistently when they disobeyed and learned to obey quickly.

Dr. Spock, who was not a Christian, brought a “new and improved” way of child raising that was soft on punishment just as the progressives are doing in our country. Children no longer have respect for authority. Crime is on the rise. Many homes have alarm systems on them. Removing swift punishment for wrongdoing in raising children and criminals hurts everyone.

The female mayor of Oakland warned 1,000 illegal criminals that ICE agents were going to be raiding their city, so they all fled. This is a progressive mayor who is more concerned about the safety of criminals rather than safety of her citizens. The entire state of California is a sanctuary state so it can harbor criminals. This is how the left works. They don’t believe in punishing crime so crime grows. They don’t believe in spanking children so children get out of control and don’t obey the authority in their lives.

This is exactly what the Bible predicts will happen when wrong behavior isn’t dealt with swiftly: “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner will do evil a hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him” (Ecclesiastes 8:11, 12).

This is how God disciplines us: “For whom the Lord loves he chastens (to inflict pain for the purpose of reclaiming an offender), and scourges (to afflict for sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction) every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6).

This is how God commands we discipline our children: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). As Elisabeth Elliot wrote, “How foolish and dangerous it is to discard the wisdom of the ages that is given us in the Bible!”

Many today hate God and His ways, therefore, we have a dangerous culture that is getting more dangerous by the day. Don’t allow your children to grow up undisciplined, women. Discipline them swiftly for rebellion and disobedience when they are young. Child raising will then be a blessing instead of a curse. Growing up as a disciplined adult is a great gift that you give your children if you discipline them the biblical way.