[210 words]
“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 discourage 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