"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor your father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3) How do we honor parents who are abusive? I have read that honoring our parents involves two things.
First we are to honor their position over us. Leviticus 19:3
"Everyone one of you shall revere his mother and father, and keep My Sabbaths:" Even though we do not agree with the behavior of our parents, we must respect the role they are to have in our lives, and work to help them maintain it, in a healthy way. It may mean stepping out from the abuse, and working to get help for both them, and us.
Second we are to honor their person.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed." (Proverbs 31:28) The children may not like the person their parents have become. And it will take guidance from the Holy Spirit to help a child forgive, and pray that their parents will become the people that God wants them to be. Honor, may not be the feeling that some children have. But it is a choice that all of us must make. Because the promise is still there, when we obey God in fulfilling this commandment.
'That it may be will with you, and that you may live long on the earth." God is faithful in keeping His promises. GP
Photo by Ambro. Published on 04 October 2012
www.freedigitalphotos.net
