Ungodly Parents

(Cols3:21 NLT – Fathers and mothers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged- emphasis mine).

What if my parents want me to do the wrong thing, is it right to honor them still? (Teens often ask me this question)

Of course not!

Respect them, but don’t engage in any form of ungodliness. When your parents tell you to do what is against the will of God, do not follow in doing it. Just like if your parents tell you to put your hand into the fire, will you do it?

Your guess is as good as mine. This doesn’t mean you are rude, you are just being careful so you do not miss your divine inheritance. Better still; discuss it with any mature Christian to help speak with your parents.

Pray to Yahweh also to help change their minds. If they don’t change, don’t let it affect the way you live. Don’t become a delinquent juvenile because of them. Live right because you will face the consequences of any wrong action you engage in, they won’t be summoned to face it for you.

Don’t give it to any negative influence from them because it will affect your walk with Yahweh and your success in life. Toddlers can differentiate between good and bad. Those who are just developing their first tooth can easy bite you if you put your finger in their mouth, but would not do so with their fingers because they know it hurts. Similarly, you know what is good from what is bad.

Please, choose to live right, abstain from any negative influence always. Speak to such parent(s) whenever they are in a cheerful mood, make them see reasons with you why you can’t engage in ungodliness. You have your life to live, live right. It’s a shame, we have some ungodly parents in our society today, may Yahweh deliver them!

SHUN COMPARISON

“I know of people who do not honor their parents and are doing well” – you may say.

Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. Pro 24:1 NLT

You never can tell what they are personally going through. Besides, you don’t know their end result yet. Any person that disobeys God perpetually is already out of His divine plan which ought to earn you security and blessing.

If you choose to remain disobedient, then be ready to face the consequences. I don’t mean to scare you but it’s the truth! 

Don’t you know that there is no comparison to God’s way with man’s way? If someone who is disobedient to Yahweh is rich, how much more will he become if he obeys Him? Besides, what will it profit a man if he gains the world but loses his own soul?

If you move closer to this kind of person, you will discover they may not be genuinely happy. Moreover, comparing yourself with other people is wrong.

It leads to frustration and confusion. You are not that person; we all have different parts in life just like we have different names.

Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant! 2Cor 10:12 NLT             

You see, what I’m saying is, to compare yourself this not wise. Comparing yourself with other people will only blind you from seeing the good qualities in yourself; you never get satisfied with what you have which is very dangerous because it often leads to discontentment and covetousness.

Honor also means to show love during punishment: Honouring your parents also includes showing love and respect, even during punishment.

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward, there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Heb12:11NLT  

Definitely, no punishment is interesting, but we learn from it if we are willing to. Children that want to do well in life and live long do not reject discipline but accept correction as they see it as a training procedure to success.

Some of our parents are not successful in their endeavors today because they disobeyed their parent(s) through the wrong choices they made in the past. They don’t want you to make the same mistake.                                                

Giving to your parents is also another means of honor: Giving cheerfully is one of the means of showing appreciation to someone who was devoted and made sacrifices for your well being (though giving is not restricted only to those who showed you love but to everyone Matt25:31-46).

Mostly, the person(s) who should be considered first is your parents because they protect, feed, clothe, pay your fees and try to meet your needs- all by Yahweh’s grace.

If they choose not to take care of you, what will you do? But thank God who gave you a caring parent(s).

Buy them gifts, give them money (when you become financially stable), call them when you are far away, hug them, help them when necessary, tell them you love them, and remember to wish them a happy birthday; is also another means of honoring them.

Prove that you love them through your words and action. I’m familiar with some people whose parents were carefree and unloving in their acts towards them but didn’t retaliate instead they care for their parents.

The wonderful thing I noticed in the lives of these people is Yahweh’s abundant blessings. 

Remember, if Yahweh commands it, its because it’s important for your progress in life. Do you want to succeed? Honor your parents!