Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 AMP
Children are a gift from God. We as parents are called to bring them up in the way of the Lord. One of the things we have taught or should have taught our children is that honor means “lifting someone up and treating them as special and important.” It’s about allowing others to go first, encouraging them, empowering them, and believing the best in them.
Since children have learned about honor from their parents, there is one question that should be asked.
- How do you honor your children?
- Do you speak respectfully to them?
- Do you discipline with harshness and in anger?
- Do you belittle them in front of others?
Ok, that was more than one question but you get my drift. One of the greatest things we can do to teach our children how to honor us is to honor them. We also teach them that honor doesn’t end when they grow up and move out of the house. You, we, all of us, are called to honor others throughout our lives. Of course, there are always circumstances where we are not able to obey this. People leave this earth, they are abusive, they abandon us, etc., but where possible we are called to honor them.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, please teach us how to first honor you and respect others at all times. Do not allow us to disrespect your servants. Enable us to treat them well and respect them so that we may receive the blessings that you have in store for those who keep your commandments. Remind us that when we honor others, we too receive the honor. For it’s in the name of Jesus Christ we pray. ~~ Amen.
