Ephesians 6 1 4 1 Children obey your

Ephesians 6: 1 -4 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise– 3“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. ”

Ephesians 6: 1 -4 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

LIVING BEYOND THE DASH No Joke…Don’t Provoke Larry Cline | Hardin Valley Church Of Christ | 5 -28 -2017

1. BE PATIENT Letting your motor idle when you feel like stripping the gears.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger. (Ephesians 6: 4 a)

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger. (Ephesians 6: 4 a) Because men have a natural tendency to be too impatient and overbearing. You have God-given authority over your children. DON’T ABUSE IT

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5: 22 -23)

2. BE PRUDENT We must treat them fairly. The punishment must fit the crime.

23 "But if there is [any further] injury, then you shall appoint [as a penalty] life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. (Exodus 21: 23 -25)

Punishment that is to harsh leads to anger and resentment. On the other hand, a failure to apply any discipline provokes anger too. Children want to know they are loved and properly applied discipline proves a parents love.

3. BE PREDICTABLE /CONSISTENT

One day we are committed to faithful, loving, discipline, but the next day we are too tired or preoccupied to get involved. The “Jekyll and Hyde” uncertainty can drive them to anger and bitterness.

4. BE im. PARITAL One can show favoritism according to a child's: • interests • gender • abilities • age

5. BE PRESENT Warnings To Workaholic Dads – “I felt an increasing amount of bitterness. I felt like I wasn’t important enough for dad to spend time with me. Looking back, I feel like he often chose his work rather than me. It made me angry. I didn’t want to be around him. ”

Satan offered Christ the kingdom of the world for one act of compromise. He will cut you a similar deal.

6. BE POSITIVE

Your words have the power of life & death!

General Rule Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such [a word] as is good for edification according to the need [of the moment], so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4: 29 )

Again…it’s no joke.