Ephesians 6:1-4

          Parents are acutely aware of the need for daily wisdom.  Thus Paul here lays out truth so Spirit-filled (Eph 5:18) parents can walk in wisdom.

          Vs. 1-3 give children 2 basic, complimentary commands to obedience and honor.  Obedience includes the need to listen as well as to heed what is heard.  Honor is to consider someone to be precious and so to put them on a pedestal.  Obedience comes from an attitude of respect thus joining heart and actions as is always true in Scripture.  Rebellion and disrespect (Prov. 30:11-14) are serious matters (1 Sam. 15:23) with serious consequences (Prov.. 29:1), though God will forgive rebellion if one turns to Him (Exodus 34:7).  Many parents have found hope and encouragement in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32.

          There are 3 encouragements for children in this matter of obedience.

¨     They are to obey in the Lord.  Obedience to parents is obedience to God.  The Lord Jesus Himself set the example in this in His earthly life (Luke 2:51).

¨     Obedience is right.  That is, obedience is not commanded simply because of it’s benefits.  In the end it is just right.  Disobedience is wrong.

¨     Honoring one’s parents has promise.  The Spirit repeats this from the 10 Commandments because it still applies: obedience is good for the child now and for years to come.  Common sense affirms this: rebellious children generally struggle in society while those who have learned discipline do well.

          V4 speaks to fathers who, as spiritual leaders at home, bear responsibility before God for their children.  A Spirit-filled marriage (5:22-33) is essential for a father and mother to work well together in training children (Prov. 1:8).

¨     Fathers should not provoke their children to wrath.  Provoke means to cause them to be bitter or resentful.  When children disobey or disrespect a father’s pride may be challenged resulting in harshness rather than constructive discipline.  He may seek to control by unreasonable or unnecessary demands and limitations.  The result is they become bitter or discouraged (Col. 3:21).

¨     Instead fathers are to bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.  To bring them up is to bring them to maturity.  For children Luke 2:52 might have a good sense of maturity as involving wisdom, physical stature, an active relationship with God, and an ability to function with people.  To do this the father is to train and admonish.  The former refers to teaching by word and action and is used 4 times in Heb. 12:5-11 that speaks of God’s discipline of His children.  The latter emphasizes training by words, though usually words of warning.  Thus we see that Spirit-filled parents have a balance of training by word and action and by positive instruction for righteousness as well as warning against sin.  Surely one can see the value of the word of God in this whole proves (2 Tim. 3:14-17).

          As a parent prayer for your children and for yourself should be a daily exercise.  Others should be reminded to pray for parents they know to be Spirit-filled and walking in wisdom at home.