“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
In the simplicity, yet profoundness, of this statement on parenting, the Lord gives us two keys to being a good father. Do you see it?
Good fathers do not provoke their children, but rather they provide for them. Parenting is not easy—it takes a lot of patience to raise children in a loving, Christ-honoring manner. The purpose of parental discipline is to help children grow, not to hurt or discourage them. Frustration and anger should not be causes for discipline. Rather, parents should act in love, providing agape love; the love that God has for His children (the kind of love Israel had for Joseph).
Jesus, the Master Teacher, speaks on providing for needs in Matthew 7:9-11 and that is what fathers do, though imperfect beings: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children.” To this Pastor, the “acid test” for fathers is how do you love the children’s mother? “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” (Ephesians 5:25)
Fathers, be blessed on this your day, as you provoke not and provide for.
Pastor J. Amos Jones
