Theme: BE YE ANGRY AND SIN NOT!
Text: “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” – Colossians 3:20,21.
Comment: One of the numerous conditions that the Almighty God gave to children in order for them to enjoy His abundant blessings is obedience to their parents. (Exodus 20:12). In the days of Moses, the law was very stringently backed by capital punishment for any child who refuses to honour his parents. “And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death… And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death” (Exodus 21: 15,17). But the grace of God brought by Christ has removed the aspect of instant death – John 1:17.
Abounding in some homes, are cases of parental neglect, abuse, starvation, defilement, insouciance, assault and other anti-social behaviour by some parents or guardians. Children are flogged with twisted cables, rods, sticks and even sharp objects leaving them with indelible scars. For minor offences some children are starved with hunger; some uncouth words are used on them; some of these young ones are accused of some crimes which are later found out to be untrue – yet punishment is administered leaving them in a depressed state. Parents are charged not to provoke their children to anger. – 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Ephesians 6:1-4.
In place of wrath or anger that may dampen them; children should be brought up “in the nurture and admonition of the LORD”, as heirs also of salvation. – Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 19:18; 29:17.