God is glorified when you honor your parents. Honor is defined as a showing of usually merited respect; one whose worth brings respect. God thinks it is so important for you to honor your parents, He included it in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12). The Bible addresses parental honor again in the New Testament. Ephesians 6:2-3 (NIV) tells us, Honor your father and mother-which is the first commandment with a promise-that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. God will bless you for honoring your parents.
Raising children is one of the most difficult and challenging responsibilities any of us will ever experience. It is also one of the most rewarding. Your father and mother are not perfect. You were not a perfect child. God is perfect! God is your creator, He is sovereign, He is all knowing, and He is in charge. He also gave your parents their position in your life. He commands you to honor your father and mother by acknowledging and respecting their God-given position as your parents.
Kids are to obey their father and mother as long as they are living under their parents’ roof or their parents are providing for them. Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV) says, Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. By doing this, kids not only please God, but they learn to respect all authority. This will help determine how well they do in their relationships regarding authority figures in school, government, law enforcement, and their career. The Bible talks about disobedience in Proverbs 30:17 (NKJV), The eye that mocks his father, and scorns obedience to his mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out and the young eagles will eat it. Disrespectful treatment of your parents will result in judgment.
All of you grown children are to honor your parents throughout your life. Even when your parents are no longer providing for you, you are still required to honor them. There is no age limitation and you never outgrow this command. Jesus set the example in Matthew 26:29 and Luke 2:51. He was obedient to His earthly parents and His Heavenly Father.
If your parents raised you according to the Bible, you honor both them and God by doing what they taught you. Proverbs 1:8 (NIV) says, Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. One thing that needs to be made clear is that the Bible does NOT say ‘honor your father and mother if they were good to you.’ You are to honor your father and mother because they are your parents, period. This does not mean you have to agree with them about everything. You are to obey God first. You are not to imitate unrighteous parents. Ezekiel 20:18-19 (NIV) says, I said to their children in the desert, ‘Do not follow the statutes of your fathers or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols. I am the LORD your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.’
How do you honor your parents? You make time for them, love them, show them respect, help them with their needs, take care of them as they age, and seek their counsel. Even if they are not Christians, and you don’t respect their opinion, you should seek their counsel. You ask why? First, you will honor God through your obedience. Second, God will use them to give you wisdom. They raised you and have known you since you were a child. They have insights into your life that no other person could acquire. There is another way you gain wisdom from your parents and that is to learn from their mistakes. If they made poor choices while raising you, you will, at the very least, learn what NOT to do! Finally, you honor you mom and dad because you will want your children to honor you. The Bible says, Give and it will be given to you (Luke 6:38). Give honor and you will receive honor.
Finally, if your parents are not Christians, God can use you to lead them to the cross. When you love them unconditionally, honor them, serve them, and show them respect, the power of the Holy Spirit is unleashed. You will be treating them as Jesus treated you when you were a sinner and unsaved. He showed you love and grace you did not deserve. You will be living out the Gospel before their eyes. This can lead them to God’s Kingdom. That would be the ULTIMATE way to honor your parents and glorify God!
Compiled by Stephan Sanford
