Spirit-Filled Family

Spirit-Filled Family (Ephesians 6:1-4)

Ephesians 6:1-4, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

This passage is essential, not only for the day of Paul, but for every generation. It is particularly vital for our day and time. Our generation is a generation of problem children and problem parents, and one of the major causes of the pressure is the failure to heed the instructions of God's Word. Children and parents are to walk together under God's authority. This is a command that has sounded out through the ages and is needed more in our day than ever before. Never in history have children been so disobedient and disrespectful to parents as in this present day. Noah Webster defines obey as "to comply with the commands, orders or instructions of a superior, or with the requirements of law, moral, political or municipal; to do that which is commanded or required, or to forbear doing that which is prohibited”. According to James Strong the word obey means "to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication to heed or conform to a command or authority". This is an interesting word. It was used in Bible times of a doorkeeper. He first heard the knock, then acted upon what he heard by opening the door. The meaning here is that the child is to listen, then act in accordance to what he hears. This word combines both the responsibilities of hearing and doing. Children are to listen to their parents with earnest attention and respond positively to what is heard. Children are to obediently and humbly put themselves under the words and authority of their parents. Understand that delayed obedience is disobedience and incomplete obedience is disobedience. There is no middle ground. Obedience is not an option.

Four reasons why children should obey their parents.
1) It is the right thing to do.
2) It is written in the laws of God.
3) It will go well with them to do so.
4) It will add years to their life in the flesh.

The word children refers to children still living at home. It is worth noting that love that is balanced with submission and a serving spirit brings about blessing. There are two places where Spirit-filled living shows up most—home and work. Children were made by God to glorify Him. This great purpose is partly lived out by honoring and obeying their parents in the Lord. Obey means "to submit, to listen, to respond”. Children are to listen to and obey their parents (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20; 13:1; 15:5; 23:22).

A common complaint from teenagers is, "My parents don't understand me. They just don’t get it". Teenagers especially need to remember who chose their parents. Who did? God! God chose your parents, and in your mother's womb. He took 23 chromosomes from each parent, to give you exactly the traits you need to fulfill His will for your life (Psalm 139:13). So, when you put down your parents, you are putting down God. You didn't choose your parents, but remember your parents didn't choose you either. A Spirit-filled child respectfully obeys his or her parents.

The word honor means "to hold worthy; to value; to respect". Respect and honor for parents is of such grave importance to God that Moses commanded it in Exodus 21:15, 17; Leviticus 20:9. Honor and obedience are very different. Obedience has to do with action, honor has to do with attitude. Not only are young people to obey their parents, they are to think right and have a good attitude about it. You may not always understand your parent's decisions and directions, but you are to honor and respect them.

Children are observing their parents. They are witnessing their parent’s relationships to the Lord. The first picture of God that children receive is from their parents. Children are watching how their parents obey God. They are watching them pray, study the Bible, and worship. Children are observing how their parents value the church. They are watching how their parents are speaking truth lovingly, working honestly, giving generously, encouraging others properly, putting away bitterness and anger repentantly, and forgiving one another (Ephesians 4:25-32). They will get a sense of authority, love, and protection from their parents. As they see and treasure this example, it will inevitably point them to the ultimate Father. Behavior flows from the heart (Proverbs 4:23; 20:5; 23:26). Speak to the hearts of your children as you teach them about Christ.

There are more, but here are four issues that will provoke a child.
1) Failing to accept the fact that things do change.
2) Overcontrolling a child will also provoke a child to wrath.
3) Undercontrolling a child can provoke a child.
4) Living an inconsistent life before a child can provoke a child.

A PRAYER FOR YOUR CHILDREN: Father in Heaven, help me to be the example You would have me to be before my child. I ask that You stir my child’s heart towards obedience. I pray they would be inspired to love You and to serve You faithfully. In Jesus name AMEN!

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