There is no doubt that the most wonderful people in our lives are our parents. Those men and women who have made an effort throughout their lives to take care of us, protect us and get us through hard work and sacrifice with the great objective that we do not lack anything.
The work that a father and mother do for their children is extraordinary. All their lives, despite the fact that the children grow up, they will have the burden of being attentive and blessing the children at any opportunity. Therefore, the Bible teaches that every child should honor his father and his mother.
Honoring father and mother means showing respect for them, taking care of them, protecting them and blessing them when given the opportunity. Honoring parents is not always easy, however, the Bible shows how to do it since it is the first commandment with a promise.
Related: What are the 10 commandments in the Bible?
Honor your Father and your Mother because it is the first commandment with a promise
The Bible presents in the 10 commandments to honor the father and the mother. This fifth commandment of the Law of Moses is accompanied by a promise. “That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on earth” (Ephesians 6:2-3). For this reason, honoring parents is very important for the believer’s life.
We have all belonged to a home, in which the father and mother are recognized authorities within the family. They have the responsibility of educating and caring for their children until at least the age of majority.
Parents have a great responsibility in the eyes of God and although they are not perfect, they deserve the honor of their children for the work they do. For better or for worse, parents are a great example and influence in the lives of their children.
God recognizes the work that a father and a mother do for their children, In this way, God as heavenly Father honors the work of earthly parents by allowing those who take them into account and bless them to also be blessed.
The Bible shows how to honor your father and mother:
God gave parents authority to have a family. In this way, it is the children who must obey the rules and conditions within a home. However, honoring the father and mother is not just a matter of children. On the contrary, it is a task that all of us who have parents have, so let’s see what the Bible says about how we can honor our parents no matter how old we are.
Obey your parents
The easiest way to honor your parents is to obey them. This is the duty of every child, adolescent or young adult (Colossians 3:20). Most parents want the best for their children and their standards, rules and conditions serve to guide and protect them. Those children who obey their parents even without understanding some decisions avoid many problems and suffering in life.
See also: Bible verses for children
As we grow older, our relationship with our parents changes, since we no longer have a dependent relationship. Instead of orders to obey, the teachings of the parents will become advice that as children we must listen to.
Related: Bible Verses for Youth
An adult child is no longer under the orders of his parents, however, if the parents are wise and God-fearing, the Lord’s ordinance is not to despise their advice but to abide by it (Proverbs 1:8-9).
Respect your father and your mother
It is not good to treat your parents badly. It is possible to be a believer and have believing or unbelieving parents and disagree with them, however one of the obligations of children is not to disrespect them (Proverbs 30:17).
When you are angry and furious, instead of “attacking”, the duty of a child is to calm down first and try to solve the problem with love, honesty and affection.
See also: Why didn’t Moses enter the promised land?
One of the best ways to show respect for our parents is by remembering and being thankful for all the good things they have done for you. Undoubtedly, the work of parents is extremely hard and difficult, remembering those moments, they will show happiness with a little gratitude!
Take care and protect your parents
When you are a child, your parents have a responsibility to take care of you. When you are an adult and your parents are older, you have a responsibility to care for them. This means helping your father and mother to have a decent life in her old age (1 Timothy 5:4).
When we grow up, our parents with the passage of time begin to lose the vitality that characterized them when we were little, it is precisely in those years that we must begin to care for and protect them. The way to do it is by being aware of their ailments and supporting them by dedicating time and care.
Read here: Verses about marriage in the Bible
Bless your parents financially
One of the main ways to bless parents is by honoring them financially. The duty of a believing son who wants God’s blessing is to support his parents with money when he already has the possibility to do so thanks to a job.
The Lord Jesus rebuked the hypocritical Pharisees who said that they gave everything to the work of the Lord and that they did not have enough money to honor their parents (Matthew 15:5). In this way, the Lord taught that this was a terrible excuse and that she was not going to be justified before God.
See here: The trinity in the Bible
Therefore, the children have the duty to bless the parents financially whenever they have the opportunity, without neglecting, of course, the obligations of the home or the offerings that must be given in the local church, because we remember that God loves a cheerful giver ( 2 Corinthians 9:7).
Related: Should Christians Tithe?
Should abusive parents be honored?
When you have abusive parents the situation changes. Abusing children is a terrible thing and God does not expect parents to make children live in a home of physical or psychological abuse. There are ways to honor abusive parents without submitting to the abuse or justifying their actions.
Related: Bible Verses About Forgiveness
Although the Lord’s commandment is to honor parents, that does not mean that the Lord’s help cannot be sought for the father or mother to change. As children we have every right to a safe and healthy life away from abuse. This way you have the right to be honest when you talk about your parents with family and friends.
See here: What does the Bible say about divorce?
The children of abusive and mistreating parents have no obligation to obey them. In some situations, maintaining contact or closeness with the parents can cause more dishonor than honor to the parents. However, there are several things you can do to honor them:
- Forgive. Every believer has the need to forgive all those people who have hurt us.
- Pray for the parents. Praying for our parents is an essential task, and praying for abusive parents to repent and change their lives is a great way to honor them.
- live differently. Despite the bad examples that our parents gave us at some point, we as children of God must show that we want to live in their sin, but rather in the transforming love of Christ.
Related: What is the love of God?