God has specific instructions to the husband, to the wife, and to the married couple as parents, but God leaves no stone unturned. He also has instructions to the Children on how to behave toward their parents. In doing so God doesn't only give a commandment, but He adds onto it a promise! It is also a very important command as it is listed among the 10 Commandments.
Exodus 20:12 (NIV) say's,
Children, Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Something also notable is that this is God's first words in the bible addressing children. As children God wants you to honor you parents. What does it mean to honor?
Honor
Definition = lit. “to be heavy, glorify, to ascribe value and worth, to respect, to hold in high regard”
Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV) say's,
Proverbs 23:22 9 (NIV) say's,
Proverbs 20:20 (NIV) say's,
It is a given that we should honor our parents, but what about after we have grown up? Ephesians 5:31 says "a man is to leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh." This doesn't mean the relationship is to be completely severed. It simply means the new couple are now one flesh in God's eyes and the parents no longer control the child - they make their own decisions now, and have their own home, and are to be financially independent of the parents. They are to STILL honor their parents however. There are plenty of verses in scripture about honoring our parents and some indicate this is into adulthood as well.
Proverbs 23:24 (NIV) say's,
Of course there are always going to be times as adults when we can't honor our parent's wishes. The important thing however is that we show them no disrespect when doing so. At no time should they feel as if we don't honor them, which again means to to ascribe value and worth, to respect, to hold in high regard. In other words, we can respectfully disagree with our parents as adults, but we always honor them. In doing so, we please God. He is our Ultimate Father and by showing honor to our earthly parents, it mirrors the greater honor we show our Heavenly Father.
Exodus 20:12 (NIV) say's,
Children, Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Something also notable is that this is God's first words in the bible addressing children. As children God wants you to honor you parents. What does it mean to honor?
Honor
Definition = lit. “to be heavy, glorify, to ascribe value and worth, to respect, to hold in high regard”
Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV) say's,
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
Proverbs 23:22 9 (NIV) say's,
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 20:20 (NIV) say's,
If you curse your parents, your life will end like a lamp that goes out in the dark.
It is a given that we should honor our parents, but what about after we have grown up? Ephesians 5:31 says "a man is to leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh." This doesn't mean the relationship is to be completely severed. It simply means the new couple are now one flesh in God's eyes and the parents no longer control the child - they make their own decisions now, and have their own home, and are to be financially independent of the parents. They are to STILL honor their parents however. There are plenty of verses in scripture about honoring our parents and some indicate this is into adulthood as well.
Proverbs 23:24 (NIV) say's,
The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.1Timothy 5:4 (NIV)
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.1Timothy 5:8 (NIV)
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Of course there are always going to be times as adults when we can't honor our parent's wishes. The important thing however is that we show them no disrespect when doing so. At no time should they feel as if we don't honor them, which again means to to ascribe value and worth, to respect, to hold in high regard. In other words, we can respectfully disagree with our parents as adults, but we always honor them. In doing so, we please God. He is our Ultimate Father and by showing honor to our earthly parents, it mirrors the greater honor we show our Heavenly Father.
