Prov.22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Born within every child is a tendency toward evil. The word "foolishness" in our text is not childishness. Too often parents punish a child for just being a child and doing what a child does. Instead, the child should only be reproved for being a wicked child, not just being a child. "Foolishness" comes from a Hebrew root word that means "perverse" or "crooked." A child does not need strong rebuke until there is a wicked deed that warrants that kind of response. See the following with me:

I. The Experience Of A Child (15a)- When the Bible speaks of "foolishness" being bound in the heart of a child, I believe it has reference to "every" child. Each child is born totally depraved and with evil tendencies and propensities. No child is born free from the effects of man’s sin in the Garden of Eden. Since all children have the tendency to do wrong from time to time, then a child must be disciplined. Crookedness or perverseness must be driven from a child. The root word of the word here for "foolishness" comes from a root word that means "tied. Discipline helps "untie" from sin.

II. The Exercise Of The Rod (15b)- Here the Scriptures speak of a "rod of correction." Children should not be disciplined merely to vent our feelings of frustration or anger. Correction must be given with the overall well being of the child in mind for the present and the future.If we use the rod on them, it will help deliver their so ul from hell (Prov. 23:14). Rather than being cruel and crude when we chastise our children, we actually are the most cruel when we do not correct them when it is very much needed.

III. The Expulsion Of The Wrong (15c)- Note the word "drive it far from him." Foolishness does not disappear on its own by the wishful thinking of the parents. Neither does the deliberate acts of the children completely get the job done. The rod of correction is God’s way (Prov. 19:8; 23:13,14; 29:17). We are to be like our Heavenly Father and not chasten for our own pleasure but as a divinely appointed means of driving foolishness away from your child. You fail in your responsibility as a parent, as well as failing God and your child, if you do not correct and punish them when necessary.