Where In The Bible Will I Find:

Duties Of Children To Parents?

The first duty that comes to a child is that of duty to parents. The child never gets away from its duties to parents. It matters not how old the child may be, so long as parents live, children have duties to them. As we grow older, our duties enlarge from the family to the community, to the school, to the county, to the state, and to the nation.

As we associate with, and have dealings with our fellows, our duties and obligations multiply, but we never get away from our obligations to our parents. God has enjoined upon children to obey their parents. Paul says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right" (Eph. 6:1). This was a commandment even under the Decalogue. Children under the Christian dispensation have fuller blessings and rewards in obeying parents and these are sufficient encouragement to keep them respectful and obedient.

Obedience to parents prepares children well for all lessons of obedience. It prepares them for obedience to school regulations, the laws of the state, and even the laws of health and life. To obey parents prepares the way for long life and happiness upon the earth, for when children reach the age of accountability, knowing right from wrong, they will be prepared to be obedient to the gospel of Christ. This prompted Paul to say that they should obey their parents in the Lord, "That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" (Eph. 6:3).

There is but one limitation for the child in obeying the parents; that is, if the parent commands the child to do wrong or to do that which is contrary to God's will, then the child is not to obey the parent. Peter points this out when he was commanded by man to go against the will of God, "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

Even in a case where the parent commands the child to do wrong the child can respectfully decline and still respect and honor the parent. There is no excuse or reason for children being disrespectful to parents. All children should seek to know and learn their duties to their parents, and in fear of God, love, respect, and obey them. When the home is governed by the laws of God then there will be love and respect for all: "Wives, submit yourselves Unto Your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged" (Col. 3:18-21).