GOD BLESSES YOU WHEN YOU OBEY YOUR PARENTS

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) l That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Ephesians 6:1-3

If you’re a parent, have you ever tried to throw the weight of this verse around with your children: “See, the Bible says obey your parents! And see, one of the Ten Commandments says to honor your parents!”? The approach doesn’t work, but the reality is that God has told us something important about our relationship with our parents in these verses. Paul noted that the command to honor one’s parents ends with a promise directly from God—that those who do obey and honor their parents “may enjoy long life on the earth.”

This verse is manifest as children respond with obedience. When they do, they are learning an attitude of respect that will carry over into their relationship with God. As they obey their parents, they will also be kept safe from harm—thus paving the way for a long, full life.

Children learn to honor their parents based on the way that parents model that respect. They observe our interactions with our parents and note the respect—or lack thereof—we offer. As parents—or spiritual parents—we can be good examples by demonstrating a respectable and honorable manner in our interaction with our children and with others. 

GOD’S PROMISE TO ME:

• I will bless you when honor your parents.

• I can help you to be a wise and discerning parent.

MY PRAYER TO GOD:

Lord, help me to be respectful of others and to teach respect in my own children. Help me to be wise in the obedience I require and in the discipline I give for disobedience. Amen.