What Honor Does Not Look Like 2/7/13

Exodus 20:12
I woke up this morning and read the blogs that I normally check every morning. I read one called doorposts and ironically the topic today was the 5th commandment. The fifth commandment deals with honoring your mother and father. She had two lists on her blog post. One list was what honoring your parents look likes. The other list was what dishonoring your parents looks like. It was very convicting to me as most of the behaviors that my children exhibit were on the wrong list. Some of the ways that they say children dishonor their parents shocked me. I actually went and printed the lists so I could study them more. I am also going to go through the lists with the children so they can see truly what their behavior is, sin. It convicted me as a parent to teach my children better how to be a child of God. I truly desire for my children to walk in truth and I am willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal. I know that the ultimate decision lies with them as to whether they follow God or not but I need to set the example. How amazing that that one little commandment could entirely change our household.

Some of the ways that she said parents do not honor their parents is:
Refuses to make eye contact
Rolls his eyes in response to parents
Glares at his parents
Mumbles when speaking to parents
Doesn’t talk to or withdraws from his parents
Interrupts when his parents are speaking to him or others
Talks back or argues with his parents’ decisions
Throws a tantrum
Questions his parents’ motives
Mocks or makes fun of his parents
Speaks behind his parents’ backs
Criticizes or sets himself up as his parents’ judge
Challenges his parents’ decision in the presence of others
Speaks sarcastically to his parents
Purposely does what he knows his parents do not want him to do
Chooses to wait until he feels like obeying instead obeying immediately
Withholds important information from his parents
Resists their leadership
Ignores his parents
Takes offense when corrected
Physically resists discipline
Neglects to fulfill his assigned responsibilities
Disobeys his parents when they are not present
Deceives his parents
Outwardly complies with parents’ wishes while inwardly rebelling against them

Boy, was I convicted. I need to really examine this list with my children and seek out the sin in their lives and mine and then repent.

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