Child's orders - Why biblical surrender to parents is empowering to children

 How common is gentle, attached parenting? Fairly common, yet rare, in a hidden way. You'll see it from time to time. Not all parents become gentle parents by coming here. Pedophiles are actually a good example of a group of people that have "fallen into" gentle parenting, meaning a good "fallen into" (yet one they won't readily credit themselves for). Pedophiles prefer the term "positive discipline", and a pedophile understands positive parenting in terms of general rules, guided by non-entitlement strategies. If you are following the orders of a child, yet aren't afraid of them, and get along great with your child, you are a gentle parent. A great many parents have this type of relationship with their children. Lawful and binding orders. Invoice. Temper tantrum. Children are a legal force in the Bible, and an indemnified one entirely.

It says in Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things, as is well-pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they become discouraged.

The Greek root word "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the care, support, and protection of parents. This sort of rest can be understood in terms of attachment theory, meaning secure attachment. Secure attachment is achieved by breaking down barriers to children feeling safe around parents, which is why most children don't listen to their parents and rebel. It is pro-social rebellion, meaning you allow children to think for themselves, and question your judgment as a parent, and you let it descend to the point where they are ordering you around.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and literally translates to "stir up" and refers to the offenses, meaning torts and damages imposed under Jewish law, which includes assault and battery. The New Testament, in the Early Christian context, sums this up to the slightest of personal slights perceived by one's parents, meaning anything the child finds offensive, by way of their orders. Thus, merely saying "no" unnecessarily will lead to you getting into trouble with your child through lawful and binding orders issued by certain emotional reactions such as crying, whining, or rebellion towards parents. But, at the same time, a child who is more mature, older in age, and trusts you as a parent will allow you take liberty by way of withholding offense, turning the other cheek. It becomes a casual understanding, but one where you give lawful orders to your parents, and they they heed and obey your lawful and binding commands, fearing their child inward, listening to children's needs and benign wants outwardly.

Children in ancient Jewish culture gave their parents, especially mothers, lawful commands as to needs and benign wants. The Greek root word translated "parents" is γονεύς (Latin: goneus) and referred to leadership, not control over a child, and refers to, in context, children leading parents to what they need, and parents being attendant, with mothers closely attending to their child's needs, and fathers being the protector of the family and breadwinner, not dictator or tyrant. Children in the biblical context were demanding, but only in the private context of being around their parents. Otherwise, they were very quiet when in public while clinging to their mother, knowing they could save their upset and frustration for their parents, when they would be listened to and validated, with parents being indentured servants, paying due penance for their existence as an entitled adult, which is the situation of all adults.

The entitled parents and adults who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Corporal punishment of children shall not exist within the borders of the several states that constitute the United States of America, or adjascent territories or commonwealths, and if you identify to me as a pro-spanking parent, YOU shall not exist, but since murder is sin, you shall exist only in a prison cell. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!