Q&A Home > P > Parents Is there anywhere in the Holy Bible, where a parent was wrong and was therefore not to be obeyed by their children? How would you advise someone whose parent is using the Holy Bible in a threatening manner in order to procure their kids' obedience to them? God delights in obedience (1 Sam 15:22). To emphasize the special position parents hold, this commandment has been listed in the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:12), as the first man's responsibility toward man. Along that line, the Apostle Paul reiterated this command as "the first commandment with a promise", Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. '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.' Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." The command does not attach any conditions. For example, it does not say "Honor your parents if they are good parents."
Yet honoring parents has often been misinterpreted, misdirected or plainly ignored. As a result, we may miss out on God's special promises of blessings and long life. Take as an example Samson; when he had disobeyed his parents and married a gentile, he not only missed their blessings, but his life was full of tribulations.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord...," must also be understood to mean, you must obey your parents if your parents' command is not against the Word of God. There are very few instances of parents asking their children to disobey God's Word. God says that you are to do whatever a parent requires that is not in direct violation of His holy law. He says you are to obey them in the Lord with reference to the Lord's authority and presence.
If they ask you to do that which comes against Scripture, then you must obey God's Word. Jesus says in Matthew 10:37, "He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me...."
Children must learn to see that their parents are training them and bringing them up in "the nurture and admonition of the Lord". They must recognize that their parents' authority is in subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who has put parents over them; making them His representatives to guide and direct their children.
In the Old Testament, God had dealt very strongly with rebellious children. The penalty for not honoring one's parents was the same penalty as for adultery and murder, stoning to death. It was a serious offense before God. Rebellion against parents was a worse sin than stealing. You can read more about this in Exodus 21:15,17 and Proverbs 30:17.
The Holy Bible teaching is clear regarding obedience and respect to parents. Our Lord Jesus Christ showed us how He loved and honored His mother until His death on the cross.
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