कolossians ३:२०-21

Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord। 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become disheartened.

Paul writes directly to the children। Does he think they will be reading this letter? I don't think so।

This verse is for the parents। Children SHOULD obey their parents. We have too many parents today who have this reversed. We have parents obeying their children. This is not to be and directly violates the teaching of the Bible.

The Bible sets forth a definite structure of authority। Children submit to parents. Wives submit to husbands. Husbands serve the family. The family submits to the civilian government. Civilian government serves the family. All submit to Christ. Christ voluntarily submitted to God the Father.

This is all pleasing to God। No one is putting themselves first. Everyone is preferring and serving others over himself. Organizational and family structures become unstable when this order is not observed. Sin enters the picture.

However, there is another issue। Fathers should not provoke their children to anger! They will become disheartened. Children are at the bottom of the pole. They must submit to everyone! It is easy to get disheartened when you are at the bottom.

So, parents don't hound, harass, and nag your kids. Don't ignore them, either. It makes them angry. But if you give an order, stick by it. Expect them to obey. We are accountable to God for the raising of our children.