Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Ephesians 6:4 ¶ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 6:4 ¶ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. |
Bible Question:
If this is OFF TOPIC, please let me know, as this is my first post. I am facing a difficult decision. My 19 y/o daughter is a Sophomore in College. She is very bright and excels in liberal arts (English,Philosophy, Theater). My daughter has developed a best friend (actually I feel the relatioship is overly enmeshed...but not sexual). My daughter's friend is a male homosexual. It appears that his influence in her life has outstripped any spiritual input she has had growing up (significant, but not legalistic). She has now announced that she will be moving in with her friend. I am in the dilemma of financing her education. She is of age. Do I cut her off financially? limit her finances (i.e. just tuition). My wife feels that we should continue to finance everything and "pray" for her. This is just about the only thing in my daughter's life that I have ever said "NO" to. She has (and is) a basically good kid, but has NO SPIRITUAL appetitie at this point. She has never attended church while at college, despite my encouragement, but not insistence. I am looking for godly, scriptural answers. Again, if this is off topic, I understand and will refrain. My daughter, myself and my wife are scheduled to see a Christian therapist on Tuesday. Apparently my daughter wants to let me know all the bad things I've done in our relationship...I am open to any wrongdoings and will surely repent of any, but there is nothing obvious, like physical/sexual/verbal abuse. Thanks for any assistance, Michael |
Bible Answer: Scripture ... Due 21:18-21, Pro 22:6, Luk 15:11-32, Eph 6:4 ... Michael, God's day to you and welcome to the forum. Forum members normally do not give advice ... because most of us are not qualified, including me. I am glad you three are scheduled to see a Christian therapist on Tuesday. I will pray sound Biblical direction will be given ... not just by the therapist, but each one of you. Do you think your daughter is being rebellious ... making choices of no return? God gave direction for that (Due 21:18-21). We do not do that today. I am writing from a father's heart. There are verses, many in Proverbs, that speak to our children. Look up father and mother in Proverbs. Proverbs 22:6 is a word of hope. If we train our children according to their bents, they will return one day. I also think of the prodigal son who left and returned (Luk 15:11-32). In the case of your daughter, it doesn't sound like she has asked for separation. Ask if she wants to go her own way, that may answer your financial support question. Why do you financially support her? Each one has our reasons. One question I ask myself is have I exasperated my child (Eph 6:4)? There are times that I think not ... but, I have. Others see it -- my wife and others outside our family. At that point I need to ask for forgiveness and endeavor to do better. What does she want from you? I hope this helps, Searcher |