“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,” Ephesians 6:4.

The Holy Spirit is the Author of good order. He it is Who through the Word of God extends and establishes the rule of God through His Word in the hearts of His people. In a day of disorder, He raises a standard around which God’s people should rally. “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him,” Isaiah 59:19. This is seen in creation, Gen 1:2. It will be seen in the nation of Israel, Ezekiel 37:1-10. Here we see God’s order being set forth for the family. Here is life in the home under the Holy Spirit, 5:18. A reward is promised those who raise their children aright. “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother,” Proverbs 10:1. To accomplish this, parents need help. Plenty has been offered. The larger portion comes from the devil and his spokesmen. Their voices are heard loudly today. They have already begun to enshrine their stupid notions in legislation so that to follow God’s truth is becoming increasingly unlawful.

I. FATHERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DISCIPLINE

1. There must be discipline.

“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame,” Pro 29:15. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” Pro 22:6. The word train comes from a word which means to strangle. It means that you choke off from your child that which will harm it.

2. Negligence of children cannot be hidden.

The sins of the fathers will be seen in their children. What a dreadful thought that is! Exodus 20:5.  1 Samuel 3:11-14. 1 Kings 1:6. Jacob who deceived his father was deceived by his sons, Gen 27 & 37.

3. Discipline in the home marks a man as spiritually mature.

1 Tim 3:1-5, 12; Titus 1:6 - riot = excess, Eph 5:18 -- opposite. “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do . . .  For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment,” Gen 18:17,19.