Honoring and Obeying Your Parents: Even When You Don’t Agree

Angry words fly. The valiant acts of kindness are no longer in the realm of your thinking. Emotional lines have been drawn and crossed. The door slams and you are left all alone with the aftermath of the so-called discussion. Life is so not fair.

Why doesn’t your mom understand? How come your dad said no this time?

You add to your list of dislikes against your parents and begin building a case to consider departing from the family.

A quick sound out to social media reflects your raw emotions, and the positive posts and retweets remind you that you are not alone in this teenage battle.

What do your parents know anyways? Why should you even have to follow their rules?

Technically, you don’t. The choice is up to you, but the consequences will be a reflection of your choice since the third law of motion does apply.

“For with every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”- Sir Isaac Newton

Prior to Newton’s discovery, an even greater law was established: obedience and honor to one’s parents.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “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 6:1-3

What does it look like to “Obey your parents in the Lord”? It means that you are to do what you are told.  Period. No debates. No back talk, eye rolling, heavy sigh.  No delays.  No procrastinations.

But that seems so unfair.  How will you ever get your way?

Take a look at the second part of that verse: “…for this is right.”  As difficult as it may be to hear, obeying your parents is the right thing to do even when you don’t want to or agree.  The only exception is if what they are asking goes against being obedient to God.

Obedience and honor travel together.  With obedience comes honor and with honor comes obedience.  So, what does it look like to honor your parents?

It means to treat your mom and your dad the same way that Jesus would treat them. A more simple translation is to treat them with the utmost respect.

You may be thinking that your parents don’t even treat you with respect, so why should you treat them?

Take a look at the second part of this verse: “…so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”  By honoring your parents, you are honoring God, and he wants to bless you as a reward for your obedience.

Who doesn’t want to be rewarded, right?

Try this one week challenge.  For the next 7 days, obey what your parents and honor them in your obedience. Remember, the challenge is not to react with your emotions but to comply with what you are being asked to do. Don’t forget to obey immediately, not when you feel like it.  See if they don’t stop and notice the change in you and begin to treat you with more respect.  You may even be surprised with a blessing.

After you completed the 7 day challenge, will you come back and share your results?