Do you believe the promise attached to this command?
“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3
All parents have faults. It takes humility and grace to honor them. It isn't always easy because it means forgiving them, offering them grace, and making them a priority in our lives.
But it's important to God.
Christ said people who dishonor their parents are worshiping God in vain (Matthew 15:1-9). That's a pretty strong warning!
Another strong warning is found in Proverbs 30:11-13, where those who are disrespectful to their parents are described as arrogant and filthy.
When we honor our parents, we're blessed and they're blessed. It's a win-win situation.
It's not meant to be easy. But it's one way we show our love for God (John 14:21).
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I so regularly hear the term "boundaries" used when talking about parents. There are some situations when this may be necessary, but it should be a last resort, not simply an excuse to avoid an annoying parent. If you have set boundaries for your parents, make sure you have first obeyed Romans 12:17-21. To read more on the popular teachings of Boundaries: Are Boundaries Biblical?
Note: Children who have been physically or
sexually abused by parents must seek godly Christian counsel in
handling their adult relationship with their parents.
Please take the time to read through the Bite Size Bible Study today. It gives deeper insights into this important subject.
Bible Love Notes
AMEN
ReplyDeleteI wish I could share this on Google Hangouts.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how this applies for those who were seriously abused by a parent. Or in my case where my MIL tried to break up her sons marriages.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy,
DeleteThere are differences in the relationship when a parent abuses and child and never repents. God will show that child how to honor their parents, but it may not look the same as the honor of a parent who did not abuse them.
The problem is that many people use the word "abuse" when all they've really encountered was critical or annoying parents. And God didn't say it would be easy. He didn't say "honor only those who are honorable." And to take it a step further, I am encountering godly Christian parents whose children have unjustly turned on them for petty reasons or because they aren't "perfect." They are the people who really need to read this devotion but probably won't.
People who genuinely have abuse issues will have to seek God about how He wants them to honor their parents.
I meant sexual abuse.Children whose father abused them for many years. You can forgive but you don't need to put your own children at risk.
DeleteI heard a Christian teacher say recently that sometimes the only way to honour parents is to not have anything to do with them and I agree. My MIL tried her best to break us up, and I wasn't going to let that happen. She couldn't be trusted. Fortunately she lived in another country and my husband had very little contact with her even before we met.
Yes, Judy, a child who was abused by their father may need to avoid contact with him. It's really something that must be done on an individual basis. We should never put ourselves in a position where we know we or others might be abused.
DeleteI personally know a woman whose father sexually abused her for many years. She was able to forgive him and keep in some contact with him throughout the years, but it wasn't until he was on his deathbed that he repented.
These situations are complex and only God can give each person wisdom. A person's heart is of utmost importance. Have they forgiven? Are the returning good for evil as is appropriate for their situation? Are they genuinely trying to see things Biblically?
We live in a world not made for Christian's. Its filled with everything aganist God and His Son Jesus Christ. The commandments were written because God loves His children and wants them separate from the world now. Obeying all of His commandments is the right thing to do. Period. He will take care of all the hurts of our past. 🕊
DeleteAmen Amen. Everything you posted comes straight from God . So any arguments or disagreement is between that person and God. God never lies. Andt he put commandments for the parents and the children for a reason. And true parents should never ever provoke or abused or curse they children.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter who has been treated very well by my wife and I has pulled away from us to include our grandson because we do not agree with the father smoking marijuana around our grandson. . Oh yeah, he has assaulted her causing a serious injury. She has chosen to estrange from us. She has been so disrespectful and dishonorable because we have not accepted their relationship.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your situation. I pray that your daughter may come to understand that her lifestyle is damaging her and others. I've prayed that God will give you wisdom, strength, and comfort.
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