The Bible is clear that God desires to do His greatest work in our lives through the family. The shaping of the first 18 years of our lives has the greatest impact on our lives even though we continue to be shaped by God through our adult roles. Every parent will stand before God one day and answer as to what we did with the amazing privilege of being a parent.
“So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (NLT)
Our children also will be accountable for what they do with the home they are raised in. A well-known verse is Exodus 20:12 (NLT): “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” This verse is repeated by Jesus; Paul also reminded his readers at the church of Ephesus of this instruction from God, and he warned Timothy of the dreadful day when children will disobey their parents (Ephesians 6; 2 Timothy 3). We model this commandment by how we treat our own parents, and we play a large role by determining to be the parent that our children can respect and honor. This removes their excuses. The point of the article is not to assume that our children will always respect us; however, the point is to minimize our faults even though they don’t. Be the parent they “need” us to be.
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 (NLT):
We must pause and ask ourselves “do I make choices and decisions that are honorable” in my parenting role? Our children won’t always like the position we take as their parents, but it is important that they don’t like them for the right reasons. What will my children say in ten years about their parents? God places us in a position to be honored and respected by our children by the mere fact we are the parents; however, we can destroy God’s hard wiring by our behavior. Are we motivated for the best outcome for our family or for self? How is my countenance and attitude? Am I Christ centered or self-center?
I don’t think it is a stretch to take from this Scripture that things go well for our children because their parents are honorable. I am not saying perfect but intentional in obeying God. Galatians 6:7: “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”
