Why so difficult to take our parents’ teachings to heart?
<Ro 1> 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
1) Sinful nature.
- Our sinful nature: Resist parents’ teachings when it does not gratify our flesh.
- Our parents’ sinful nature: Their bad examples and failings make us not want to obey them.
2) Increased knowledge, capabilities and freedom Contempt for parents.
- <Prov 23:22> Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
It is God’s design and command that we listen to our parents.
- No one is born wise and capable, we need someone to teach us.
- Parents are ordained by God to perform that role.
<Prov 6> (ESV)
20 My son, keep your father’s commandment,
and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them on your heart always;
tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will lead you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24 to preserve you from the evil woman,
from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
<Ep 6> 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
- “Honor”: “give weight”, “assign value”.
- Why must we obey parents?
- It is right in the eyes of the Lord, and it will go well with us.
- Parents love their children, wanting the best for them.
- God give our parents (even non-believers) common wisdom, and use them to protect and shape us in right way.
- When we honor our parents, we are honoring God
- What about parents who are not honorable and do not teach well?
- The example of Jesus <Lk 2:51>.
- Obey parents “in the Lord” <Ep 6:1>.
Parents must also reflect upon how you teach your children.
- Are you good role model?
- Your teaching: Gratify yourself, or for children’s best interests?
- Rely more on worldly or biblical principles?
- Are you too permissive to let your children live as they please?
- Do you understand the dangers of this generation? (Moral decline, increasing social influencers, etc.)
Reflection
- What are your struggles with obeying parents and listening to them?
- How have your parents’ teachings benefitted you? Pls give some examples.
