Be Genuine

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

There is a divine tension between a child’s obedience to his parents and the parents’ treatment of their child. The same Scriptures that say, “Children, obey your parents...” (Eph. 6:1) also say, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger...” (Eph. 6:4).

It is easy for Christian parents to try and instruct their children in God’s ways without walking in His ways themselves. When a parent’s life is an example of authentic Christianity, children are much more apt to obey. They understand honesty and rebel against what they perceive as hypocrisy.

Does that mean you have to be perfect? No parent is. But when we ask our children to forgive us for unwarranted outbursts of anger, we demonstrate a godly role model they will learn to value and one day emulate.

If you are a Christian parent, think of how gracious, patient, and kind your heavenly Father is to you. Think of how He lovingly disciplines you for restoration, not punishment. The more you meditate on the fatherhood of God, the better parent you will become. And, by God’s grace, your children will increasingly submit to your correction and guidance.

“Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:13