Proverbs 13:24 — the rod is literal corporal punishment; wisdom literature genre does not dissolve literal content

Mike affirms that Proverbs 13:24 ("Whoever spares the rod hates his son") is wisdom literature and should not be hyper-literalized (e.g., requiring a specific rod), but it should not be over-spiritualized either. The clear content: discipline is an act of love; withholding it is a form of hatred for your child. Mike argues that what matters is not rod vs. hand but the love and intentionality behind the discipline. Discipline driven by anger is counterproductive — children learn to read the parent's mood, not right from wrong. Discipline must be motivated by love, done consistently.