Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
Parenting is not for wimps, the areas of teaching discipline and obedience. Paul is teaching Christian parents in Corinth how to exercise authority in the home without provoking children to anger. He explains the importance of training kids in accordance with instruction that comes from God. Followed correctly, especially the love part, children will usually respond. Carried out harshly and in anger, they will quickly learn to despise their parents and believe God must be the same way.
Additionally, if children constantly see parents lose their temper and behave out of anger, they will soon believe it’s okay for them to do likewise. So, how do you know if your efforts are headed in the right direction? First, is what you are doing lining up with what God says in Scripture? Secondly, are you carrying out your parental authority in a reasonable way? A good test for this second question comes with asking yourself another question: “Am I acting out of love, or am I reacting of frustration and anger?
Have faith. As you seek God, He will show you.
