My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck (Proverbs 1:8-9)
Why is obedience to parents important?
In Proverbs 1:8-9, we read one of God’s commandments, to honour your father and mother. It is the first commandment with a promise. If you honour your father and mother it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth (Ephesians 6:2).
Honouring your father and your mother means that you respect your parents. You’ll respect them, submit to them, listen to them, take their advice, and stay obedient to them.
You shall listen and hear the instructions of your father, and learn from him. You shall obey the law (the teachings, advice) of your mother, and apply them to your daily life.
When you live in obedience to your parents, you will prosper and have a long life.
A father Children need instruction and guidance from their father and mother
Children need instruction and guidance from their father and mother, because children don’t know what they want and don’t have the (mental) ability to think logically, discern good and evil, and make the right choices. Although the world doesn’t agree with this statement, and think they can.
It’s important, that parents raise their children in the fear of the Lord and teach them the will of God and learn to submit to His will.
If they don’t read the Bible and each their children God’s Word, it won’t be long before children become rebellious.
When parents don’t claim their children for Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, and don’t raise their children daily in the Word of God, then it won’t be long before the devil comes, deceives them, snatches them out of their hands, and wins them for himself; for his kingdom.
The devil uses all means of worldly entertainment to attract children and engage them with the darkness.
Age doesn’t matter to the devil, the younger, the better.
Children are not too young to understand the Bible
While many Christian parents often say that their children are too young to understand the Bible, and because of that don’t teach their children from the Bible. But if parents don’t teach their children to apply the Word of God to their lives, the devil will steal their children away.
As parents you should protect your children, nurture them, take care of them, love them, and raise them in the Word of God.
God gave parents the responsibility to raise their children
God has given parents the responsibility to raise their children in the Word of God, nurture them, protect them, guide them, discipline them, and correct them.
As long as your children live under your roof, you decide what happens, and not the children.
You should teach your children submission and obedience. Only then, will children be able to submit and obey you (parents) and God.
If they don’t learn to submit and obey parents, how will they submit and obey God?
When children are willing to hear and obey the instructions of their parents, then it shall be an ornament of grace unto their head, and chains about their neck.
Christians should listen and obey the instructions of the Father
As Christians, we should also take this advice and submit to God and apply the instructions of the Father to our daily life. We should listen to Him, obey Him, and apply His words to our lives so that we walk in His will.
Be faithful and go His way instead of being rebellious to His words and going your own way.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
