This is one verse we almost always get wrong. We read it this way: “Thou shalt not dishonor thy parents in anything that thou doest.”
This verse is not a passive one telling us not to do something bad. This is an active commandment calling us to take action. We are commanded to honor our parents. It is not enough to stop doing bad things. We must start doing good things that bring honor to our parents. If we do nothing, we are as disobedient to God as if we were willfully defiling our parents.
When we honor our parents, we teach our children and others around us to honor their parents and more importantly, to honor God.
Sometimes parents do horrible things to their children, and the thought of honoring one’s parents can be repulsive and hard to deal with. The greater the battle, the greater the victory and the greater the glory for God. If you are in a battle with the sin of bitterness and unforgiveness, this is your chance to take hold of the help of the Holy Spirit, overcome these things, get victory over them, declare your emancipation from them, and give God the glory.
Not only should we honor our parents, but we should honor our spiritual parents who minister to us, and I don’t mean just money or lip service. With your life, with your money, with every blessing you have received from God, give those who ministered to you reason to be proud of you and to thank God for having been allowed to play a part in your upbringing spiritually. Honor them with your support.
Speaking of that, this ministry went six months with only $30 in support which came through T-shirt sales and book sales. I would venture a guess that out of the thousands who came to this site, a large number would say they were Christians and perhaps even sincere Christians, and yet seeing how wealthy the movie industry is, I would venture a guess that many would rather pay more money to see actors sin so they can watch than give to support a ministry like this. Ministers ride on the edge of poverty or sink well below it while actors and porn stars ride jets and live in mansions financed by the Christian community.
Why not honor your parents and your spiritual parents by starting a ministry or supporting a ministry or taking a very public stand for something important--for marriage, for children’s lives and such? Why let your voice be drowned out by the voices of sin and the devil’s servants? Why let their courage outshine you before your parents, your spiritual parents, your children, and your God?
Commandment 5: Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (Exodus 20:12)
Recommended Reading:
The Five Love Languages of Children
The Five Love Languages of Teenagers
Memory Aid: Think of the bottom part of the numeral 5 as a face and the top part as a crown.
