And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
PONDER THIS
Joyce and I haven’t been perfect parents, but we’ve got four wonderful kids. And one thing we’ve tried to do is to be consistent in our discipline. Sometimes parents under-discipline, and other times they over-discipline and lash out or scream at their children. When you scream at your child, you are the one who is out of control.
Some make it their aim to control their children. If you show me a father who is a leader but not tender, I’ll show you a family that still has problems. Some tough dads are just bullies. A child can tell the difference between man-centered control and godly discipline. If you have all rules and no relationships, you’re going to have rebellion. If you have all relationship and no rules, you’re going to have chaos. Follow Christ and He will lead you in that balance.
- If you are a parent, are you more likely to over-discipline or under-discipline? What are some ways you need God to grow you in this area?
- What would it look like to discipline your children in a godly manner?
PRACTICE THIS
Confess to God where you are passive or overbearing. Ask Him to change your heart.