Lesson 2: Loving your Parents
A lot of young people would probably say this about their parents: “I can’t live with them, but I can’t live without them.” They get so frustrated with them, and they sometimes feel like their parents just don’t get them. Maybe in some ways, your parents might not understand, but they probably understand better than you think they do.
Some of your parents may be pretty lenient with you; some of your parents may be very strict; and some may be pretty well-balanced with you. But, either way, no matter your situation, there is a way that you are supposed to treat your parents, even if it’s not so easy to do. God is very clear on how you’re to deal with your parents.
The bible talks a lot of about obeying your parents and respecting them (as well as respecting those that are older than you). In the Old Testament, one of the Ten Commandments was to obey your parents (Ex. 20:12), the punishments for not doing so were pretty severe. But, now that we’re under the New Testament, those punishments no longer apply (Refer to the book of Hebrews about the separation of the old and new testaments). I believe we can definitely say, however, that God is very serious about young people honoring their parents.
In the NT, Jesus references the OT in reference to honoring your parents (Mark 7:10, Matt. 15:4). We also read this in a few epistles (Eph. 6:2-3, Col. 3:20). Now, the question is, how do we honor our parents? We love them. 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 says, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude; it does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice with wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…”
Let’s look at some of these things and apply them to how we treat our parents. Don’t get impatient with them if they do not understand where you’re coming from (“love is patient”). They’re not you, and they’re older so they have a different perspective on things. Listen to what they have to say, and don’t lose your temper and start yelling or being disrespectful to them (“it is not arrogant or rude”). Don’t take your frustrations out on them (“it is not irritable or resentful”). Do as your parents tell you to do without attitude (“it does not insist on its own way”).
A lot of young people would probably say this about their parents: “I can’t live with them, but I can’t live without them.” They get so frustrated with them, and they sometimes feel like their parents just don’t get them. Maybe in some ways, your parents might not understand, but they probably understand better than you think they do.
Some of your parents may be pretty lenient with you; some of your parents may be very strict; and some may be pretty well-balanced with you. But, either way, no matter your situation, there is a way that you are supposed to treat your parents, even if it’s not so easy to do. God is very clear on how you’re to deal with your parents.
The bible talks a lot of about obeying your parents and respecting them (as well as respecting those that are older than you). In the Old Testament, one of the Ten Commandments was to obey your parents (Ex. 20:12), the punishments for not doing so were pretty severe. But, now that we’re under the New Testament, those punishments no longer apply (Refer to the book of Hebrews about the separation of the old and new testaments). I believe we can definitely say, however, that God is very serious about young people honoring their parents.
In the NT, Jesus references the OT in reference to honoring your parents (Mark 7:10, Matt. 15:4). We also read this in a few epistles (Eph. 6:2-3, Col. 3:20). Now, the question is, how do we honor our parents? We love them. 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 says, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude; it does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice with wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…”
Let’s look at some of these things and apply them to how we treat our parents. Don’t get impatient with them if they do not understand where you’re coming from (“love is patient”). They’re not you, and they’re older so they have a different perspective on things. Listen to what they have to say, and don’t lose your temper and start yelling or being disrespectful to them (“it is not arrogant or rude”). Don’t take your frustrations out on them (“it is not irritable or resentful”). Do as your parents tell you to do without attitude (“it does not insist on its own way”).
I’m not saying it’s easy; trust me, it’s not. I’ve had some issues with treating my parents respectfully and with love, too. But, I’m much better than I used to be and continually getting better. If you really want to get better with it, you will. You just have to make the decision first and foremost that you want to please God rather than yourself. That’s an important part of the Christian life is putting God’s desires way ahead of your own, and humbling yourself (James 4:10).
Now, let me bring this up: maybe it is your parents who are in the wrong. I know that they are out there; parents who are super overbearing; possibly abusive, are struggling with drug, alcohol, or other addictions. Maybe they don’t care much and don’t want you to bother them. Maybe you’re a Christian, and they’re not. In these cases, you continue to uphold God’s will. Pray for them, and treat them with respect. Remember the Golden rule? It applies here as well (Matthew 7:12). Even if they tell you to do something that seems completely ridiculous and silly, just do it without complaint (unless it goes against God’s word). Remember that “love never fails”. It may not give instant change, but, over time, it can change a lot.
I pray that this article has given you a new perspective on loving and honoring your parents!
No comments:
Post a Comment