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 (Faataoto 1:8-9)
Obedience to parents
In these verses, we see one of God’s commandment: Honour thy father and mother. It is the first commandment with a promise: That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth (Eph 6:2)
When you honour your father and your mother, it means that you respect them. You shall 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 these teachings to your daily life. When you live in obedience to parents, you will have a long live and prosper.
Children need instruction
Children need instruction, because children don’t know what they want. Children don’t have the ability to make right choices. Although the world doesn’t agree with this statement, and think they can.
When parents don’t raise their children in the fear of the Lord, according to His will in His word, ona le umi lea, 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, snatch them out of their hands, and win them for himself; for his kingdom. Age doesn’t matter to him, the younger, the better.
Children are not too young to understand the Bible
While many Christian parents often think, or say, that their children are too young to understand the Bible, and therefore don’t teach them in the Word. When they don’t teach them, how to apply the Word of God into their life, then the devil will steal them away.
As parents you should protect your children, take care of them, love them, and raise them in the Word of God. As long as your children live under your roof, you decide what happens, and not the children.
You should teach your children what obedience means. Only then, will they be able to stay obedient and submit themselves to you (parents).
When children are taught obedience, then the child will show obedience to parents.
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.
As Christians, we should also take this advice, and apply it to our daily life. We should also listen to the instructions of our Father. We should live in obedience to Him, and walk in His commandments; Lona finagalo.
Instead of becoming rebellious to His words, and going our own way.
‘Ia fai ma masima o le lalolagi’
