18 DISCIPLINE ALLOWS SHORT-TERM PAIN FOR
LONG-TERM PLEASURE; PERMISSIVENESS ALLOWS SHORT-TERM PLEASURE FOR LONG-TERM
PAIN.

Immediate gratification is taught by our culture. We have fast foods, instant answers, and microwave meals. Our children learn from TV that major problems can be solved in half-hour sitcoms.

Gratifying our wants may bring momentary pleasure, but the fun is short-lived. Afterwards, the long-term pain can bring tragic consequences.

Instant credit brings long-term debt. Short-term sexual gratification can bring long-term sexually transmitted disease and emotional pain in a future marriage relationship. Short-term sugar brings long-term fat and the health problems associated with it. In other words, giving a child what she wants just to “shut her up” will never teach a child the virtues of patience, deliberate choice, and long-term blessings.

Obeying a boundary and keeping a contract may delay a child’s wants. But that obedience can meet a child’s need for long-term maturity and spiritual growth.

However, discipline that teaches takes time, effort, and patience. The fruit is character.

Permissiveness requires little thought and no patience, and brings instant pleasure. However, the long-term fruit is lack of character in a child.

As a parent, be willing to pay the price of godly discipline. It may also cost you the short-term pain of time, hard work, and consistent effort. However, the reward will be great. All that you sow into the life of your child, you will reap in a harvest of godly character.

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope (Rom. 5:3–4).