Gentle persuasion versus violent correction

The first year he was in Vellore, India, Dr. Paul Brand served as a general surgeon, treating whatever needs he saw, but then Brand was confronted with a steady stream of patients whose limbs were twisted – clubfoots as they were labeled. The problem, a genetic deformity, caused the foot to rotate inward. The accepted procedure of the day was to force the foot into the proper position; then tape it to splints.

But Dr. Brand observed that this harsh treatment often left scar tissues and broke ligaments, which required long months of recuperation. There had to be a better way, he reasoned. Dr. Brand began to gently manipulate and press deformed feet into place, then place them in casts until they had healed, gradually winning the battle with deformity. In his book co-authored with Philip Yancey called The Gift

of Pain, Brand says, “I learned a fundamental principle of cell physiology: gentle persuasion works better than violent correction.”

David knew that gentle persuasion works better than violent correction; thus he instructed, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom,” even though Absalom had rebelled against his father and wanted to depose him as king. Joab, however, quickly forgot David’s instructions and dealt harshly with him.

When it comes to the correction of children, gentleness is the difference between punishment and discipline. Paul instructed that gentleness be used in helping someone who has strayed acknowledge that he has gone wrong. He says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Galatians 6:1, esv). Dr. Brand was right: Gentle persuasion is far better than violent correction, whether you are correcting deformities of the feet or the behavior of someone who has taken the wrong path in life. Gentleness works.