Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4

The flip side to the way children are supposed to relate to their parents is the way fathers are to relate to their children.  Fathers are not to provoke their children to anger.  There are many ways in which a father can abuse his children and take advantage of them.  The way a father relates to his children should not ultimately lead them to anger.  Instead, the goal is for fathers to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the lord.  It is possible that discipline can lead a child to being upset and angry with their father.  Though that may be the result, the goal and main thrust should be discipline and instruction that is from God.  This is meant to raise them well instead of merely bother or frustrate them.

I have wondered in the past why such parents could be so mean to their kids.  I know it happens, but it didn't really make sense to me.  I thought, only stupid, uncaring fathers who are the dirt bags of society are the ones who would treat their kids so harshly.  I thought, most parents are not like that and really do care for their kids and want what's best for them and do not provoke their kids to anger.  First, I obviously know that nobody is righteous and we are all sinner and we all fail in many ways.  However, I can now better see and understand how kids can make you want to provoke them to anger.  Raising kids is tough and one can be easily brought to a tipping point with them.  Stresses of life and the family can wear one's patience thin.  It's not a good thing, but the reality is that being quick to anger is a far easier thing than being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.  It's easy to not care for a child's well being by trying to raise them in the discipline and instruction of the lord.  One can easily be selfish and think only of him or herself.  This instruction is not just for the marginal lowlife dads of society.  This is for all fathers because everyone needs to hear this.