Why should you respect your parents?

Here’s a good question, one that many of you might ask yourselves sometimes. After your mom has entered your bedroom and read your journal or your father has called you a name that is less than admirable, you might wonder if they deserve your respect. Let me remind you of just one thing that should require at least some respect from those of you whose parents are struggling in their task as a parent. "They gave you physical life and though you might not have asked them to, it is a fact and because of it you are God’s child and through Him all things are possible." Respect is defined as feeling or showing honor, esteem or consideration for. So show them at least the consideration for their main contribution to your existence.

Now lets see what the Lord has to say about respect. In Ephesians 6:1-4 Paul tells the Ephesians “Children, Obey your parents in the Lord, for that is what is expected of you. ‘Honor your father and mother’ is the first commandment to carry a promise with it. - ‘that it may go well with you, and that you may have long life on earth.’ Fathers, do not anger your children. Bring them up with the training and instruction befitting the Lord.” So you see, God commands children to respect their parents and for the parents to respect there kids. Respect is mutual, but don’t confuse it with discipline and the setting of boundaries. I know that it might be hard at times to keep yourself from speaking ill to your mom and dad, but you must. A 15 year old once said that “The more parents push teens to do or not to do something, the less respect the teens have for them.” I am sure this doesn’t apply to all teens. However, for those of you who think this way let me explain something to you. Parents make mistakes too. Sometimes the punishments they give or the rules they set might not be the best ones. Even the words they use might cut deep and hurt your feelings. Their discipline could even be extreme. They are only human, and in your response to them I can tell you this old saying - You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Remember that sitting down with them and discussing the problem or disagreement and even telling them that their words hurt, is better than disrespecting them. The bible says that the Lord sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her son. You give respect, you’ll get it! However, if for some reason it isn’t given back to you then you must empower yourself to rise above the other who choses not to respect. After all, it comes right down to one thing.... Respecting others comes from respecting yourself. Honor the Holy Spirit within you, do not make the Spirit sad. The Holy Spirit is God’s proof that you belong to Him. God gave you the Spirit to show you He will make you free when the final day comes.