Pure in Our Own Eyes: Refusing to Honor Our Parents

Some important thoughts as we celebrate Mother's Day in the U.S. on Sunday...

Proverbs 30:11-14 describes a growing problem in our culture: 

“There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among mankind.” 

Whole systems of secular and "Christian" counseling are based on judging our parents, blaming our problems on them, and limiting our involvement with them. This shouldn’t surprise us because Satan has always loved it when we forfeit God’s promises, and there’s a huge promise attached to honoring our parents (Ephesians 6:2-3). 

Our modern culture seems to think that when God commands something it will be easy, as if God rewards us for doing things that cost us nothing (Proverbs 24:10; Hebrews 12:1-3). 

Yes, honoring our parents might force us to give up some of our own desires and honor some of our parents’ desires (Philippians 2:1-5). It might involve denying ourselves (Matthew 16:24). It might involve focusing on the good in our parents and forgiving the bad (Philippians 4:8). It even might involve returning good for evil (Romans 12:21).   

If you want to see how serious a person is about their faith, ask them how they treat their parents. 

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I encourage you to read these pertinent devotions:

Giving Mom Grace

Speck Finders - Adult Children Who Judge Parents Hypocritically

Mother Earth or Earthly Mothers?

Underestimated Command 

 

Note: Children who have been physically or sexually abused by parents must seek godly Christian counsel in handling their adult relationship with their parents. 

Bible Love Notes