“You don't understand my situation. My Mom and Dad won't do anything for me. My Dad doesn't pay child support. They won't let me do anything. I can't wait to get out of this house. I want those new gym shoes and my Moms won't get them for me. I know what I'm doing. I'm grown! Why do they treat me like a kid anyway? They don't trust me. You ain't my Momma/Daddy.”
While working with young people in the church, I have heard many phrases like those listed above. Why is this? Where does the problem really lay in honoring your parent(s) and step-parents? The world would say these issues of disrespect and recklessness are caused by the infusion of television, movies, music videos, video games, hip-hop, rap, etc. To some extent this is true. However, the root of the matter is the lack of fear and reverence for God and His Word. In Deuteronomy 8:6 (Amplified)
Deuteronomy 8:6
“ So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and [reverently] fear Him.”
Moses admonishes the Israelites to “do all the commandments from a good heart with a regard to God as Lord and with a holy fear of Him.” Let's take this a step further. Even when you are watching an awards show you'll often see individuals who “thank God”, but rarely acknowledge Jesus. Often their lifestyle and what they portray on the big screen or videos are totally against The Teachings of Jesus. They praise God but have not made Jesus Lord over their lives. Scripture speaks directly to these type of individual.
Revelation 3:15-17 Amplified
“I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So , because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth! For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Please understand, as a Believer, it is God Jehovah-Jireh that is your Provider. He causes you to increase in every area of your life. Because you have purposed in your heart to receive Jesus and make Him Lord over your life, being lukewarm (proud, disrespectful and rebellious) is not an option. You were created to look totally different from the world. Therefore, you cannot serve two masters. God's wants you to choose a life of blessings (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Let's take a look at Ephesians. In this chapter the Apostle Paul is writing a letter to the members (Saints) of the Church at Ephesus . Notice, these are the people in the Church, not the world. We could very possibly infer that the youth in the Church had issues in this area. Let's dissect Ephesians 6:2-5 (Amplified) specifically:
Do you see any where it says to honor your parents based on how they act or treat you. Now, to bring balance, take a look at verse 4:
I know what you're saying right now. “See, I told you, my momma and daddy are not supposed to provoke me and treat me any kind of way.” You are absolutely right, and God will hold your parents accountable for their behavior. However, YOUR commandment in verses two and three didn't change. You still have a responsibility to “honor them, that all may be well with you”. You may even be in a situation where the father you've never known may resurface in your life. What will you do? How will you handle the situation? Although he may never have been there, would you still honor your father and show The Love of God?
As humans we sometimes have the tendency to behave very selfishly. We think it's all about us, but let's think about that. When Jesus willingly came to the earth in human flesh, he was spit on, talked about, beaten and hung on a cross to die. Was that about Him? Let me help you out - NO! He did it out of Love, for you, so you may have eternal life. Let's look at it from this angle:
Paul, under the Unction of Holy Ghost, had instructions for those who were slaves at that time. Slaves were encouraged to serve their masters with all of their heart as a service unto Christ. How much more are you to honor and reverence your parents as a service unto The Lord?
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
So, WHAT ABOUT YOU? It's really about demonstrating God's Love on earth and doing what He Commands in His Word. Make the decision to honor God's Word by honoring your mother and father. Advance God's Kingdom by allowing His Love to show in your life and in your relationships with your family. He will be pleased with you. His Promise is to make everything well with you AND you'll have a long life on earth too!
For more information on the author please contact Darnishia Slade [dslade@cfaith.com].
Please understand, as a Believer, it is God Jehovah-Jireh that is your Provider. He causes you to increase in every area of your life. Because you have purposed in your heart to receive Jesus and make Him Lord over your life, being lukewarm (proud, disrespectful and rebellious) is not an option. You were created to look totally different from the world. Therefore, you cannot serve two masters. God's wants you to choose a life of blessings (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Let's take a look at Ephesians. In this chapter the Apostle Paul is writing a letter to the members (Saints) of the Church at Ephesus . Notice, these are the people in the Church, not the world. We could very possibly infer that the youth in the Church had issues in this area. Let's dissect Ephesians 6:2-5 (Amplified) specifically:
Ephesians 6:2-3
“ Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother--this is the first commandment with a promise. That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.”
Do you see any where it says to honor your parents based on how they act or treat you. Now, to bring balance, take a look at verse 4:
Ephesians 6:4
“ Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord.”
I know what you're saying right now. “See, I told you, my momma and daddy are not supposed to provoke me and treat me any kind of way.” You are absolutely right, and God will hold your parents accountable for their behavior. However, YOUR commandment in verses two and three didn't change. You still have a responsibility to “honor them, that all may be well with you”. You may even be in a situation where the father you've never known may resurface in your life. What will you do? How will you handle the situation? Although he may never have been there, would you still honor your father and show The Love of God?
As humans we sometimes have the tendency to behave very selfishly. We think it's all about us, but let's think about that. When Jesus willingly came to the earth in human flesh, he was spit on, talked about, beaten and hung on a cross to die. Was that about Him? Let me help you out - NO! He did it out of Love, for you, so you may have eternal life. Let's look at it from this angle:
Ephesians 6:5
“ Servants (slaves), be obedient to those who are your physical masters, having respect for them and eager concern to please them, in singleness of motive and with all your heart, as [service] to Christ [Himself]—”
Paul, under the Unction of Holy Ghost, had instructions for those who were slaves at that time. Slaves were encouraged to serve their masters with all of their heart as a service unto Christ. How much more are you to honor and reverence your parents as a service unto The Lord?
James 4:7-8
“ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
So, WHAT ABOUT YOU? It's really about demonstrating God's Love on earth and doing what He Commands in His Word. Make the decision to honor God's Word by honoring your mother and father. Advance God's Kingdom by allowing His Love to show in your life and in your relationships with your family. He will be pleased with you. His Promise is to make everything well with you AND you'll have a long life on earth too!
For more information on the author please contact Darnishia Slade [dslade@cfaith.com].
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