How Father's Can Do God's Will
God wants to bless families, but He cannot unless the family members allow Him to bless them by being obedient to His Ways. In God’s plan for marriage, husbands are the leaders, providers and disciplinarians; while wives are the helpers, encouragers and homemakers (Eph. 5:22-23; Prov. 22:6; 31:10-31; Heb. 12:9; Gen. 2:18).
God chose Abraham because He knew he would bring up his children and the rest of the household in the Ways of the Lord. He would encourage them to practice righteousness and honesty in all their dealings with their fellow man, and he would be a godly example himself (Gen. 18:19). Abraham brought up his children with discipline and instructed them in the Ways of the Lord. He was careful not to over-discipline his children so as to discourage them from living God’s Way (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).
Children learn respect for their parents through balanced discipline and love. "For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" God’s word says (Heb. 12:7). "Our fathers disciplined us and we respected them" (Heb. 12:9). Yes, the father who neglects discipline despises himself (Prov. 15:32).
God knows that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but loving, godly discipline will remove it far from him (1 Cor. 16:14; Prov. 22:15; 29:15, 17, 19; 19:18). Fathers, there is no substitute for discipline (Prov. 13:24).
God believes in discipline done in wisdom and in love, never in anger (Jer. 10:24). There are also other forms of discipline you can use, such as depriving disobedient children of some of their freedom. Be sure to continually seek the Lord for wisdom.
Wives who are living to please the Lord are commanded to be subject to their husbands. Help and encourage your husband to obey the Lord and do not discourage him when he disciplines the children. Do not hinder him, as Eve hindered her husband (Col. 3:18; 1 Cor. 11:8-9; 1 Tim. 2:14).
Husbands, your wives cannot be in subjection to you until you are in subjection to God and have fulfilled your rightful duties to the Lord by being the loving master of your own household.
Let us be prepared to meet the Lord should He return shortly (Luke 1:17). Let us stop depriving ourselves of happiness because we rebel against God’s Ways. After all, God’s Ways are all good for us (1 Cor. 7:3-5).