Honor Your Parents: Obeying Parents
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Scripture
"Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 'Honor your father and mother.' This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, 'things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.'
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4 NLT
Thought for the Day
The apostle Paul clearly states in today's scripture that children are to obey their parents. Does that mean that as adults, part of honoring them means to obey them?
The word for children in this scripture means a young person still dependent on parental support. Fathers are instructed not to provoke them to anger but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Independent adult children are free to make choices that affect their own lives. They are no longer responsible to obey—but are always responsible to honor.
Consider This ...
Role reversal can be a big step for anyone caring for aging parents. If the parents decline in their ability to make wise decisions for themselves, the child must begin guiding and even making decisions for them. When we reach that point, not only are we not obeying them, but we are also taking charge of them. Sometimes it's difficult to do that without a sense of guilt.
Pray for guidance to know when it is necessary to "take charge." Your parents should make their own decisions as long as possible, but when that is no longer in their best interest, you must be ready and willing to step in.
You can still honor your parents even if you need to guide them or make decisions for them. Honor them by being willing to do what it takes to provide the best for them. Honor them by continuing to treat them with a loving and respectful attitude.
Prayer
Father, I really need some help here. Help me to honor my parents by doing what is best for them. Help me not to interfere in areas where they can still make their own decisions but to be ready to step in when I am needed. In Jesus' name …
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©Living Free 2020. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
