Topical Bible: Anger: Children should not be Provoked To

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In the context of Christian teachings, the concept of not provoking children to anger is rooted in the biblical understanding of family dynamics and the responsibilities of parents. The Bible provides guidance on how parents should nurture and discipline their children in a manner that reflects God's love and righteousness.

Biblical Instruction

The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of provoking children to anger in his epistles, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach to parenting. In Ephesians 6:4 , Paul instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse highlights the dual responsibility of parents: to avoid actions that lead to unnecessary anger and to provide a godly upbringing.

Similarly, Colossians 3:21 reiterates this principle: "Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged." Here, the focus is on the potential emotional harm that can result from harsh or unjust treatment, which can lead to discouragement and resentment in children.

Parental Responsibility

The biblical mandate for parents is to create an environment where children can grow in faith and character without the burden of undue anger or frustration. This involves understanding the unique needs and personalities of each child and exercising patience, love, and wisdom in discipline.

Parents are called to model Christ-like behavior, demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). By embodying these virtues, parents can foster a nurturing environment that minimizes the risk of provoking anger.

Discipline and Instruction

The Bible acknowledges the necessity of discipline in child-rearing but advocates for a method that is constructive rather than destructive. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This training involves teaching children about God's commandments and guiding them in moral and ethical living.

Discipline should be administered with the goal of correction and growth, not as a means of venting parental frustration or asserting authority. Hebrews 12:11 states, "No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it." This perspective encourages parents to view discipline as a tool for long-term spiritual and personal development.

Avoiding Provocation

To avoid provoking children to anger, parents should be mindful of their words and actions. Consistency, fairness, and empathy are crucial in maintaining a healthy parent-child relationship. Parents should strive to understand the root causes of a child's behavior and address them with compassion and guidance.

Communication is key in preventing misunderstandings and fostering mutual respect. By actively listening to their children and validating their feelings, parents can build trust and open lines of communication that reduce the likelihood of anger and resentment.

In summary, the biblical exhortation against provoking children to anger underscores the importance of a loving, disciplined, and understanding approach to parenting. By adhering to these principles, parents can fulfill their God-given role in nurturing their children in the faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 6:4
And, you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 3:21
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether it is Lawful for Parents to Strike their Children, or ...
... Vulg.: 'to them'] forbearing threatenings." Now some are provoked to anger by blows ...
Therefore neither should parents strike their children, nor masters ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 4.htm

How Antiochus Made a League with Ptolemy and How Onias Provoked ...
... estates, he provoked king Ptolemy Euergetes to anger, who was ... instructing youth,
the rest of his children, by reason ... to lose his time while they should be sent ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how antiochus made.htm

The Christian Training of Children.
... affection, there yet arises estrangement, anger, repugnance; if ... that has taken place,
and the children have learned ... The gladness with which they should come to ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/viii the christian training of.htm

Home-Discipline.
... character and destiny. "Ye parents, provoke not your children to anger,
lest they should be discouraged.". The following quaint ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xix home-discipline.htm

we have not only so high a pattern, but so excellent a motive
... Anger and passion is expressed in scripture under the name ... for ridiculous things
sadly, even as children who fall ... our commotion within, lest we should seem to ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter ii i .htm

The Fifth Commandment
... Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger.' 1 Samuel 20 ... The reason why parents
should show their prudence in not provoking their children to wrath ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 5 the fifth commandment.htm

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... Alas, that men should make what is meant to be a ... calves and star worship, and Baal,
and burning children to Moloch ... to be cast out, once again the anger of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
... This is that making the children pass through the fire ... that too in mercy as well
as anger"who visited ... living Father, who willeth that none should perish, and ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xiii korah dathan and.htm

Concerning Daniel and what Befell Him at Babylon.
... supper, according to custom, to the children, but gave ... wise men, and Chaldeans, and
magicians should be slain ... and had thereby provoked him to anger, he desired ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning daniel and.htm

The Book of the Law
... For they are a very froward generation,. Children in whom is no faith. ... I will provoke
them to anger with a foolish nation.". ... How should one chase a thousand,. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 33 the book of.htm