As many of you know, I love to read books and one thing I love most about reading is learning new words. When I was a child, my mother encouraged us to read and to read often. Whenever I encountered a new word, and I asked my mother what the word meant she would send me to our library to dig into the encyclopedia and dictionary to find the answer to my questions.

It was those actions that deepened my love for reading and my love for words that continue today. It makes sense then, because I love words, that I get a word of the day from Merriam Webster. Their word for today is “mollycoddle,” which means to treat someone with an excessive or absurd degree of indulgence or attention. Interestingly, the term started as a noun in the 1880s, used as a disparaging synonym for what we might now call a “wimp.” Over time, it transformed into a verb, and that’s how we encounter it today. But how can this word be applied to our spiritual lives? Let’s explore the idea of avoiding spiritual mollycoddling and finding the balance between love and discipline, guided by Scripture.

There is a danger in spiritual mollycoddling. In our faith journey, mollycoddling can manifest as an excessive or indulgent approach to our relationship with God. It might involve a Christians expectation that God should overlook our sin or give us a pass. allowing us to avoid accountability and therefore neglecting the transformative power of discipline. Some Christians may have the attitude that we are just humans so sinning is not our fault and sin is inevitable therefore God needs to give us a pass because we can’t help ourselves.

We also can not mollycoddle other Christians who are living a life as if they are not saved. We should call out sin in our loved ones and Christians friends in the hope that they will repent and turn to God for their sin struggles. These conversations are delicate and should be balanced with love when we talk to them.

Scripture offers a balanced perspective on love and discipline:

1. Proverbs 13:24 (NIV) – Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

This verse underscores the importance of discipline in a loving relationship. In our spiritual lives, it reminds us that God’s discipline, though sometimes difficult, is a sign of His love and desire to shape us.

2. Hebrews 12:6 (NIV) – Because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

God’s discipline is an expression of His love for us. It is not mollycoddling when he forgives us for our sins over and over again; it is a reminder that we are His children and that He cares about our spiritual growth. Although, he forgives us, there is a price, discipline, we face for our sins.

3. Revelation 3:19 (NIV) – Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Christ’s words emphasize the link between love and discipline. His rebuke and discipline are a call for us to turn from our ways and grow closer to Him.

Avoiding spiritual mollycoddling means acknowledging that love and discipline go hand in hand. While God’s love and grace are abundant, they are not a free pass to indulge in sin or neglect our spiritual growth. Embracing discipline, accountability, and growth is part of our journey as believers.

In our walk of faith, it’s crucial to recognize the distinction between mollycoddling and the loving discipline that God extends to us. His discipline is a sign of His love, not an indulgence of our weaknesses. As we navigate our spiritual journey, let us embrace the balance of love and discipline, drawing strength and guidance from Scripture.