The apostle Paul wrote, "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). Although this admonition applies to both parents (Pr. 1:8; 6:20), fathers are singled out because they are to be heads of households. When fathers do their job, the family will likely be "functional." Think of the consequences in our society resulting from biological dads who take little or no interest in their offspring! Paul gives both a negative admonition and a positive admonition.

Do Not Teach Resentfulness

Negatively, fathers should not "provoke" their children to "wrath." The term "provoke...to wrath" is from one Greek word that means to make angry or resentful. Fathers can do this in at least two ways. First, when fathers themselves "fly off the handle" and are always angry (cf. Eph. 4:26b-27), they teach their children to be the same. Second, when fathers are so overbearing in discipline (cf. 1 Cor. 7:36), they can actually provoke their children to wrath. While fathers should not allow their children free run, allowing them to do whatsoever their little hearts desire, they should not go to the other extreme, allowing them no decision making on their own. May God give us fathers the wisdom to know when and how much to loosen the strings!

Do Teach the Ways of the Lord

Positively, fathers should rear their children in the Lord's way. "Nurture [training, NKJ; discipline, NAS]" refers to discipline, training, instruction (2 Tim. 3:16). "Admonition [instruction, NAS]" is from a word that means instruction, or even "warning" (1 Cor. 10:11; Tit. 3:10). This involves more than just bringing our children to church services. It must be a way of life. First, fathers must conduct themselves in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord." Then and only then can they truly rear their children that way. Long ago, Moses instructed fathers concerning the words of God: "teach them diligently unto thy children, and...talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deut. 6:7). Let us follow that advice!