“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21).
Fathers do you discourage or anger your children? The scriptures clearly reveal God’s warning to fathers of the potential a father has to stir his children in ways which are wrong. How is this done? Recently, Glenda Franklin, a Christian counselor who is a member of our congregation, shared with me a list of things fathers do to discourae their children. She lists these from talking with children who were discouraged by their fathers. A father provokes wrath when:
- He is disrespectful, critical, or unkind to his own parents.
- He is disrespectful and dishonoring to his wife.
- He criticizes their mother.
- He commits fornication.
- He uses money to buy what he wants instead of family needs.
- He is disrespectful to the children by criticizing, put downs, and blames.
- He ignores the child.
- He is disrespectful toward God He lacks proper priorities (tailgating on Sunday instead of worship).
- He disrespects those outside the family; friends, neighbors, etc.
- He is an addict.
- He is sexually, physically, or verbally abusive.
David Shannon
via Livingston church of Christ
Livingston, TN