"Restoring Honor to the Culture" by David O. Cofield

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”  Exodus 20: 12 (NJKV)

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  I Timothy 2: 1 (NIV)

It seems to me honor has been lost in our culture today.  And sadly, in the Christian culture, as well.  Maybe that’s why it’s been lost in the culture, as a whole.  “As the home and church go, so goes the country.”

God wrote with His finger the law to “honor your father and your mother.”  The word “honor” means “to weigh heavily upon, abounding, held in honor, respect.”

Then the Holy Spirit through Paul said we are to “give thanks for all people including kings and all those in authority.”  That would include your mother and father, but expanding to all those in authority…police, principal, pastor, parents, etc.

So here is my point…if we are to honor all of these, then at no time are we ever to speak harshly or degrading to those in authority.  Now that doesn’t mean we don’t agree with them all the time or that we are never to challenge a position or decision, but our attitude toward them in that time is always to be respectful and kind.

And it starts at home.  It starts with honoring your father and mother.  Paul even says as children we are to “obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

As young adults, we should listen to and respect our parents.  Proverbs 6: 20-23 teaches, “My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.  Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.  When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.  For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life.”

This does not mean your parents are always right.  In fact, they are not.  They are imperfect just like their children.  But this is not about the person – it’s about the position.  AUTHORITY.  And that begins with God being the one in authority in our life resulting in granting respect to others in our life who are in authority over us.