How should we view teasing amongst siblings?

Dr. Joel Beeke explains in this video that when it comes to sibling relationships, it is wise to examine how much they should be allowed to tease each other. This is a difficult question to answer.

In every family, there will be a certain measure of teasing. The mother and father can do a lot in setting the tone for the home. Cruel teasing should always be out of bounds, as that is sinful. However, lighthearted teasing, where no one's feelings are hurt is normal.

Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV) - "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

Yes, when it comes to sibling relationships, particularly between boys and girls, And the whole question of how much should they be allowed to tease each other and when does normal, natural teasing cross the boundary to cruel teasing and become unacceptable? That's a difficult question to answer in a short video. I've actually written a chapter on it in my book Parenting by God's Promises called Handling Sibling Rivalry. In every family there will be a certain measure of that. That's natural.

People live in close proximity. Boys are very different than girls in the way they think. And so there's a tendency for boys to look down on girls and maybe for an older sister to look down on a younger brother. I think the mother and the father can do a lot in setting the tone for the home. And we tried and my wife was more successful here, being around the children more than I was.

But she was very insistent That cruel teasing is out of bounds, that's sinful. But a mile from the teasing in which you enjoy and laughing with each other and the other person whether it's a daughter or a son, laughs back and maybe gives something back that's just kind of fun. We all laugh. Nobody's feelings are hurt. That's perfectly normal.

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