How do you exercise your spiritual parental authority?

As parents and Christians, one of our most important roles is to exercise our spiritual parental authority to guide and instruct our children in God's way. However, how are we to exercise this authority biblically? How can we be sure that we are following the teachings of Jesus Christ in our parenting roles?
What does the Bible say about the spiritual authority of parents, and how can we apply it to our own lives?

1. Parents' spiritual authority is biblical

The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 22:6 that we must "instruct a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it".. God has given us spiritual authority over our children to instruct them in the way of God's word. Parents must use their spiritual authority to guide, protect, love and discipline their children by mirroring the way Jesus acts toward us, His children.

2. Discipline is a form of spiritual parental authority

The Bible recommends that we use disciplinary punishment to help our children learn and grow. Hebrews 12:7 reminds us : "It is for your discipline that you endure suffering. God treats you as sons; for what son is there whom a father does not discipline?" Discipline must be exercised with love and wisdom so that our children understand that it is simply an act of correction, not punishment. Discipline is a form of deep love and care we have for them.

3. Parents implore God's grace to exercise responsible spiritual authority

Our children respond best to spiritual authority when it is exercised with great love and mercy. As parents, we must ensure that we are properly aligned with God's character by continually imploring God's grace in us. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.". We cannot fulfill spiritual parental authority in a biblical and responsible way without God's grace and strength working within us.

4. Parents must inspire love and relationship with God

As Christian parents, our role is to model how we trust God, display our love and adoration for Him, and inspire our children to do the same. Just as Moses reminded Israel to lead their children to love God, we must do the same with our own children. "And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart; you shall instill them in your children, and you shall speak of them when you are in your house, when you go on your journey, when you lie down and when you rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

5. Parents must set an example of faith

Finally, to exercise responsible spiritual authority, we need to model faith and demonstrate how it is lived out in daily life. Parents need to spend time and effort showing how faith works and influences our decisions. By seeing how we follow Jesus, our children will learn to do the same and grow in their own relationship with God.

The exercise of spiritual parental authority is an essential role for Christian parents. Throughout the Bible, we have the examples of Moses, Mary, Joseph and so many others who raised their children in God's way. Each of these people had different challenges to face, but they succeeded because they followed God's teachings. Parents must guide their children in God's way with love, grace, discipline, and above all by setting an example of faith. With the help of God's grace, parents can exercise their spiritual authority responsibly and effectively while helping their children grow in their own relationship with God.

May God strengthen you in your role as parents!