In families torn apart by conflict, God's Word offers guidance on navigating complex relationships. The Psalms express the pain of being falsely accused and mistreated by one's own family members, as seen in Psalms 109. The apostle Paul teaches believers to respond to evil with good, as outlined in Romans 12, and to provide for their relatives, particularly in 1 Timothy 5. Fathers are also instructed to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, without provoking them to anger, as Ephesians 6 and Luke 6 emphasize the importance of loving one's enemies and praying for those who mistreat us.
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For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me; they speak against me with lying tongues. They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love. Set over him a wicked man; let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayer be regarded as sin.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.