Elijah, our five year old, antagonized two boys in Sunday School class, dropping things down their shirts, stepping on their toes, and turning them into punching bags.

Usually this is innocent boy play with his Dad and brother, but when he refuses to honor his teacher that's where we draw the line.

Later that day, I sat him on the edge of the guest bed and explained why he was getting a spanking. I had him read from Exodus 20:12 and told him why disobeying his parent or teacher is first an offense against God, second to others. I picked up the "spoon" to deliver the honors and stopped. The last few days of my life flashed before me and I mused on how merciful God had been. Sins I had committed that He never spanked me for. Attitudes I entertained that He didn't discipline me for.

I want my son to know the one true God and I realized that I can't do this if I don't ever illustrate the meaning of mercy. "Elijah," I said. "God is very merciful to me all the time. So I'm going to show you mercy too. You don't get any spanking."

I waited for him to throw his arms around my neck and thank me. But he didn't. He sat there and after a very long pause and with a very sober expression he said, "Papa, I want you to give me five spankings." (You have to understand that "spankings" means "swats").

"Five? Why?" He tried to get it out but couldn't explain, so I said, "Do you want zero or five?"

"Five." I could see from his face he felt pure conviction that this was the right thing.

"Because you think that would be the right thing?" His immediate sad but firm nod confirmed my suspicion. This little guy felt loved when he was spanked and knew it was for his good.

Kimberly and I rejoiced that evening in the Lord's work in this little guys' heart. Moms and Dads, don't spare the rod today and end up destroying your child's soul later. Love them enough to discipline them, but do it in total love, never in anger, never impulsively, and you can trust God to produce fruit. If you must feel some emotion when you spank your child, let it be tears of sorrow for the pain he suffers and compassion for his little sinful soul.