Honor Your Parents

 

It was surprising to hear it in a conversation about a young (still in their teens) couple who want to get married. The parents are advising them to wait. An older woman who learned of this asked, “Well, why would they listen to their parents?”

“To honor them,” was the response that came back at her. That was not something she had expected to hear.

Everyone has an opinion, but it may not be a good one.  We must beware of the worldview of those whose opinions are offered.  It may be from the biblically uninformed, the biblically inept, or even the biblically condemned.  In any case, adopting unbiblical advice about family matters is not a wise choice.

It is evident that the family, God’s design for structuring civilization, has been in decline in our culture owing to either direct attacks or simple neglect.  Movies, especially, often promote the idea that the kids are smarter than the parents.  It’s no surprise that children have bought the lie that “It doesn’t matter what they (the parents) think.”

Wondering how this happened brought back memories of the truth of the public school’s disdain for parental input that was revealed during the lockdowns through “virtual” classes. Another contributor may have been the concept of “It takes a village to raise a child.” That may have been interpreted to mean that if you don’t like your parent’s advice, look for someone who will give you the counsel you want.

As our nation has moved away from God’s Word (which we know is His law) there are commands from God that have gotten lost in the culture. Here are some to consider:

• “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12

• “And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. Exodus 21:17

• My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9

• A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. Proverbs 15:5

• Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Colossians 3:20-21

(Also see Leviticus 19:3; Proverbs 20:20; Proverbs 23:22; and Ephesians 6:1-3)

The Bible implies consequences for not honoring parents. Obviously, people grow up and get married or move to their own living situation and the parents are less a part of their lives. But, generally speaking, parents are going to have the good of their child (at any age) at the center of their thinking. Adult children need not heed their parents but honoring their opinions or advice is wise.

I’m not sure why a “boomer” would suggest that a couple of teen kids who want to get married should ignore their parents’ wishes on the matter.  Especially if they’re godly parents, there is no one on earth who cares more about them. Truly, the natural affections of most parents is protective of their children.

My fear for the boomer in this situation is seen in Jesus’ words in Mark 9:42, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.”

Whenever we’re giving counsel to others, the Word of God needs to be our standard. Let’s use the Word of God to make the family great again.