Peace Begins at Home

Exodus 20:12 You must honour and respect your father and your mother. Do this so that you will have a full life in the land that the LORD your God gives you.

In many parts of the world, the way children are being raised these days differs markedly from the past. And to a great extent, those changes lie at the heart of many of the maladies plaguing society today.

There’s absolutely no doubt that in the days of old, many children were treated terribly – by parents, school systems, orphanages and sadly, inconceivably, by religious orders. Some still are.

But for the most part, the pendulum’s swung in the opposite direction. Many children are rarely, if ever, disciplined or made to do chores. Absentee parents, out of their guilt, pander to their child’s every desire, showering them with ridiculous gifts. Poor performance at school, rather than being addressed with the child, is often blamed on the teacher.

So as these kids emerge into adulthood, they’re spoiled, self-centred and lacking in the resilience they’ll need to face a brutal world out there.

You’ve doubtless heard of the Ten Commandments. The first four are about our relationship with God. So, question: what’s the next one about?

Exodus 20:12 You must honour and respect your father and your mother. Do this so that you will have a full life in the land that the LORD your God gives you.

And let’s be clear, that one comes before you shall not murder, or commit adultery, or steal, or lie, or be jealous. Because if you can’t get number five right, the chances of getting the rest right are pretty slim.

Parents, teach your children to honour and respect you. After introducing them to Jesus, it’s the most important thing you’ll ever do for them.  

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.