A Dirty Dozen To Avoid

12 Things Fathers do which Provoke Children

by David Shannon

�And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.� Ephesians 6:4

�Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."
Colossians 3:21

Fathers do you discourage or anger your children?
The scriptures clearly reveal God�s warning to fathers of the potential a father has to stir his children in ways which are wrong. How is this done? Recently, Glenda Franklin, a Christian counselor who is a member of our congregation, shared with me a list of things fathers do to discourage their children. She lists these from talking with children who were discouraged by their fathers.

A Father provokes wrath when �

He is disrespectful, critical, or unkind to his own parents
He is disrespectful and dishonoring to his wife
He criticizes their mother
He commits fornication
He uses money to buy what he wants instead of family needs
He is disrespectful to the children by criticizing, put downs, and blames
He ignores the child
He is disrespectful toward God
He lacks proper priorities (tailgating on Sunday instead of worship)
He disrespects those outside the family; friends, neighbors, etc.
He is an addict
He is sexually, physically, or verbally abusive

• Train Up a Child -Dec 16, 2007
• It's Not Your Father's Choice Whom You Serve -Oct 02, 2005
• New Eyes -Jun 12, 2005
• Who's Driving? -Apr 24, 2005
• Honor to Whom Honor -May 16, 2004