“Honour thy father and
mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with
thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3)
As a child grows from
childhood to adulthood the role of a parent changes from guardian and
disciplinarian to counselor and mentor. What is your attitude and response
towards your parents when you disagree or when they are wrong? The real test of
respect is when you disagree, not when you agree.
The command to honour
parents, which is in both the Old & New Testaments, has some application to
small children but primarily addresses adults.
Over the years I've heard adult Christians point to faults, sins, and failings of their parents to excuse disrespect. NOBODY had perfect parents. Forgiveness is one way to honour parents. This doesn't mean you must tolerate or condone wrong or evil, it means letting them off your hook and keeping them on God's hook.
Even if they are
dishonourable, this is not an exception. Think: If you're in a courtroom you
must honour the judge and address him as "your honour," and this is
respect for his position and has nothing to do with his character or whether
you like him.
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