Question:
The
Bible
says
to
honor
our
father
and
mother.
What
does
“honor”
mean
and
to
what
extent?
Answer:
Last
time,
we
touched
on
how
we
might
respond
to
parents
who
have
scarred
our
souls
or
acted
like
they
have
a
PhD.
in
jerkology.
Part
1
can
be
retrieved
at
calvarycorner.com.
In
our
culture
of
blended
families
and
stepparents,
I’ve
always
placed
a
premium
on
whoever
delivers
the
goods.
It’s
easy
to
be
a
sperm
donor
or
crazy
lady
who
bolts
just
because,
but
who
is
the
actual
parent
who
delivered
the
training,
feeding,
clothing,
love,
guidance,
money
and
stability?
Whether
they’re
the
biological
or
adoptive
parents,
I
believe
these
people
ought
to
be
valued
regularly.
Those
who
stuck
by
you,
and
wiped
your
tears
and
rear
end,
are
the
ones
who
did
the
job.
Proverbs
8:12
tells
us,
“I,
wisdom,
dwell
with
prudence
and
find
out
knowledge
of
witty
inventions.”
Perhaps
with
a
little
prayer,
God
would
instill
within
us
a
variety
of
ways
to
demonstrate
respect
toward
them.
If
you’re
a
teenager,
honor
your
parents
with
an
attitude
of
first‑time
obedience.
But
be
careful;
they
might
think
you’re
on
something.
We
honor
parents
by
remembering
they
possess
experiential
knowledge
which
we
don’t
have.
A
baby
gets
what’s
needed
from
outside
itself
by
being
vulnerable
to
the
ones
who
are
the
source
of
what’s
needed.
Just
because
we
grew
stronger
doesn’t
mean
we
no
longer
need
their
wisdom.
We
can
honor
them
by
inquiring
with
them.
Then
there
are
times
when
elderly
parents
may
think
we’re
so
unfair.
We
just
might
be
honoring
them
by
taking
their
car
keys
away
when
the
time
comes
they
think
they
can
drive
but
really
they
can’t.
We
can
actually
get
in
the
way
of
them
learning
to
lean
more
on
Jesus
if
we
give
in
and
allow
them
to
drive,
knowing
they
could
kill
themselves
and
others.
Christian
parents
will
naturally
pass
on
the
same
belief
system.
If
you’re
young,
then
realize
your
parents
set
the
standards
because
they
experientially
understand
the
blessings
therein.
They
desire
you
to
love
the
Lord
Jesus
and
remain
under
the
spout
where
blessings
are
continually
pouring.
They
know
about
consequences
by
experience.
I
cannot
imagine
a
limit
on
my
parents’
value;
therefore,
I
extend
honor
without
limit.
Rise
before
the
grey‑headed
person
and
teach
your
children
to
do
the
same.
(See
Lev
19:32.)
Remember,
nobody
has
ever
been
a
perfect
parent.
Everybody
has
something,
don’t
we?
Some
of
us
have
scars
inside
and
out.
Hopefully,
you’re
not
hemorrhaging
at
the
moment.
Remember
heaven
is
not
that
far
away,
and
Jesus
is
the
answer
to
both.
God
told
us
to
honor
our
parents.
“I
can
do
all
things
only
through
Christ
who
strengthens
me”
(Phil
4:13).
We
do
so
much
better
with
Him
than
without.
Proverbs
3:5‑8
