Listen to your father, who fathered you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Many parents are familiar with the infamous eye roll. This body language often communicates how children feel about an adult’s instructions before that adult finishes the statement. Even though we may not still do this as adults, we all have our areas where we disagree with our parents. We have moments, even as adults, where we internally roll our eyes as they speak to us. This attitude communicates disregard instead of genuine interest. It creates a barrier to relationship with our parents and instead builds an attitude of self-righteousness.
This proverb reminds us to seek an attitude of humility and respect toward our parents. Listening to a father requires us to be present and respectfully consider the words of the one who is speaking before we roll our eyes and push them away. Not despising our mother requires humility when we deal with the hurt we carry from our parents, as we seek to love them in a Christlike way. Even as we consider those who we believe are undeserving of our respect, we can listen to the words of Romans 12:16-18, “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.” Even in times when we disagree, we are called to have gracious, respectful attitudes toward those God has put in our lives.
- What are some points of disagreement between you and your parents? How do you typically handle them?
- How can this instruction of not being wise in our own eyes help us as we interact with our parents?
- Pray and ask God to grow you in humility and help you honor your parents even when you disagree.
