20. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged
I mentioned yesterday, the importance of order and responsibility are also a spiritual issue. Attitudes towards authority can be the basis of children’s early relationship with the Lord. How they obey the parents will influence how they are to obey the Lord someday.
Obedience is related to respect. It means one is ready to receive instruction, but is submissive to correction and direction.
There are rare occasions when the state or police or social services needs to intervene because that authority is neglected or abused, but that is the exception. Children need to learn obedience at home for life lessons in the future toward others who are in authority in their lives. Jesus models this in Luke 2:51 "Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Jesus was twelve years old at this point (often considered an adult in their society). As long as He was with His family, it was the will of the Father in heaven for Jesus to be obedient to His parents on earth, even though they were not sinless and they were not perfect. Jesus, who is to be our example, was an obedient son. A child who does not learn to obey his parents often has problems throughout his or her life with authority. He will defy his teachers, employers, police, and others.
When parents are able to exhibit authority in love, children are more secure and trusting.
My friend who was a nursery school director informed me her children play happily when they know what they can and cannot do and where their boundaries are. If they find simple rules are not kept, increased anxiety results. If the teachers are consistent there is increased security.
It is true of any leadership. If our country believes in the strength and trust of its leaders, they are more apt to follow. The more the leadership ignores laws and sets up rules unto themselves results in lack of trust, order, and security.
God has given parents the responsibility to teach their children to obey as unto the Lord even if it makes them less popular.
Children will also watch to see if parents are respectful and obedient to those who are in authority over them. Show them the values of order and obedience and how to respectfully handle disagreements. Leave the long-term results and consequences to the Lord. Pray for wisdom.
Application: Parents, don’t be afraid to apologize when you make a bad decision. Integrity with good intent goes a long way.
Prayer: Give me wisdom in the parenting roles you have given me. Give me wisdom in my obedience to all authority You have put over me.
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