Read Ephesians 6:1-4
I know what you're thinking..."did you have to pick this passage?" This command for children in Ephesians definitely ranks as one of the most unpopular passages in Scripture for teenagers. However, as much as we would sometimes like to sometimes, we don't have the "privilege" to pick and choose which biblical passages we'd like to follow and which ones we'd rather ignore.
In this section of Ephesians, Paul is describing the roles and responsibilities entailed in three different earthly relationships. He first discusses the different roles wives and husbands must play in a marriage. He follows this with a description of a child/parent relationship and lastly, a slave/master relationship. God has designed us to hold certain relationships, and He has a divine order for how these relationships should function--each person has a specific role to play. In the child/parent relationship, the roles of each party are apparent. The parents are entrusted to be the leaders in this relationship, while the children are to obey and honor them.
In verse 1, children are called to obey their parents "in the Lord." Obeying their parents is also an act of obedience to the Lord. If children are obeying their parents "in the Lord," this would also exclude them from doing something against God's law. For example, if their parents asked them to sell drugs, they should obviously refuse, because this is a sin.
Paul also states in verse 1 that "this is right." For children, obedience to their parents is God's will. It is the way he intends for parent/child relationships to work.
In the following verse, Paul reminds them that "Honor your Father and Mother," is one of the 10 commandments. The fact that honoring parents is put on a short list with commands such as "do not murder," shows that it's pretty significant! Our culture may not take this command seriously, but God certainly does! Paul talks about this being the "first commandment," which probably means that it is primary for children--it is the one that they should be the most concerned about. What does honoring your parents include? Well, it starts with showing them respect. When you talk to your parents, do you roll your eyes, use sarcasm, or drown them out? I remember hearing the way some of my friends would talk to their parents on the phone, and I couldn't believe they got away with it! They would talk back to them and contradict them; they would interrupt them and yell at them. Do you treat your parents with disrespect? Or are you following God's command to honor them, even when you're feeling annoyed or impatient?
In verse 3, Paul states the benefits of following God's command to be obedient. There will be blessings involved for those who are obedient. God gave children parents in order to protect them, and if children submit to their parents and follow what they say, it will pay off. For example, you may complain about your curfew and not know why you aren't allowed to stay out until 2 am. If it were up to you, you'd stay out into the wee hours of the morning with your friends. However, your parents are probably not OK with this. They want you home by midnight. This may seem unjust, but your parents are protecting you from harm. They know about the horrible things that happen late at night, and they know that letting you stay out after a certain time puts you in a lot of danger. God gave them to you to protect you and to help you lead a more balanced and healthy life. Just think of the trouble children would be in if they had no parents! Many of them wouldn't live to hit puberty! Like it or not, you desperately need your parents, and they do know a lot more than you think.
Many of you may be thinking, "But God, you don't know my parents! They're impossible! How can I obey them?" Remember that no parent is perfect, and they all make mistakes. However, this doesn't change God's command for you. Despite how frustrated you may get with your parents, you are still called to obey and honor them. I know this seems like an impossible task for many of you, but you can do it with the Lord's help. He can supply you with the patience that you need. Pray right now that God would change your heart toward your parents. Ask for his forgiveness for all of the times you've disrespected them and disobeyed them, for in doing this you were also disobeying God. Pray that the Lord would give you patience and equip you with the strength that you need to follow His commands.
