to be a fool, or to not be a fool - that is the question

How does God want me to respond when I speak to my children?

Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool as his folly deserves,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:4-5

Jesus says to us:

But I say to you who hear, LOVE your enemies ->
DO GOOD -> to those who hate you
BLESS -> those who curse you
PRAY -> for those who mistreat you,

Whoever hits you on the cheek -> Offer him the other also
And whoever takes away your coat -> Do not withhold your shirt from him either

Give to everyone -> Who asks of you
And whoever takes away what is yours -> Do not demand it back
Treat others -> The same way you want them to treat you.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
For even sinners love those who love them.

If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?
For even sinners do the same.

If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.

But LOVE your enemies,
and DO GOOD,
and LEND expecting nothing in return;

And your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High;
for He Himself is KIND TO UNGRATEFUL AND EVIL MEN.

Be Merciful, just as your Father is Merciful.
Luke 6:27-36


Question: How does God want me to respond to my children?

Answer:

The way He deals with me - in mercy and not wrath. He does not deal with me according to my foolishness, instead He Loves me, He Does me good, He Gives to me without a debt to be paid (grace!). The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness - Psalm 103:8. He does not dealt with me according to my sins - Psalm 103:10.