Daily Devotional
Do You Honor Your Parents?

February 24, 2023

Ponder This

The Bible says in Exodus 20:12, “Honor your father and your mother.” What does the word honor mean? It means your parents are not to be taken lightly. They are to be given weight in your life.

One of the main ways you can honor them is by showing respect. Leviticus 19:3 says, “Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father.” That does not mean to tremble in their sight; it means to have respect and never speak disrespectfully to your parents. Leviticus 20:9 says, “For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon him.” In the Old Testament, under the theocracy, if a child were to curse his father or his mother, it was a capital crime. The Bible is clear. You may say, “Well, my parents are not worthy of respect.” But only perfect children can demand perfect parents. Adolescence and middle age are both difficult times. Parents go through stages too, but you’re to respect and honor your parents as God has commanded.

• When has it been most difficult for you to honor your parents?
• What does it look like to show someone respect even when you don’t agree with that person (or may even have to keep your distance for reasons of safety and well-being)?

Practice This

Ask God for forgiveness for the times you have not treated your parents with honor. Seek to honor them today in the way you speak to them and the way you speak about them to others.