Fathers
As Father’s Day approaches, we’re going to take a look at some instruction Scripture has for fathers. Here at The Constant Battle we have used the imagery of walking along a path with Jesus to help visualize and explain our life journey with Christ. When we sin, we’ve strayed from the path; before we came to Christ, we were walking on a completely separate path. In Proverbs 22:6, the writer also uses path imagery.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
This verse from Proverbs is a positive message of instruction. Fathers, we need to start our children on the right path, laying a solid foundation, which is a crucial first step that has implications into our children’s futures. We must be intentional with our children to build this foundation of faith and scriptural knowledge so that when the storms come, our children won’t crumble. Two things you can do to start laying that foundation is to read the Bible with your children daily and pray with them nightly.
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
“Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21)
Just as starting our children off on the right path has positive implications, provoking our children, aggravating them, giving them a harsh word—these actions have consequences too. If we are harsh with our children, if we are too hard to please, they may become discouraged and give up. How we treat our children has lasting consequences. A great way to avoid provoking our children is to act with gentleness.
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” (James 3:17)
“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” (Proverbs 15:1)
“He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?” (1 Timothy 3:3-5)
The world is constantly trying to rob men of gentleness. For generations, men have felt they should be tough, strong, and fierce, never asking for help and rarely showing emotion. Men can see gentleness as a sign of weakness and that can lead fathers to treat their children harshly, being quick with tough discipline when a gentle word may have been what was needed. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit, and as we are walking and growing in the Spirit we will see this fruit naturally grow in our lives. Gentleness isn’t weakness—it’s strength. It was a requirement for church leaders, as it displays strong character.
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Think about how God has been gentle with you in your life. Don’t you appreciate that God holds back His wrath? Has not God been patient with our disobedience? Don’t be afraid to show gentleness with your children. Be patient and gentle with them the way God has been patient and gentle with you. Turn their anger away with gentleness. Remember that anger and lashing out is easy and is often the default, so greater is the man who has enough self-control to be gentle with his children. Be an intentional foundation-layer for your children. Teach, guide, and train your children in the way they should go and when they are old, when the storms of this life come crashing down, they won’t stray from that solid foundation. Happy Father’s Day!
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
—Redeemed
