Are Your Parents Always Right? How The Bible Can Help You Make The Right Decisions

There’s nothing sinful about disagreeing with your parents. Each generation grows up in a different world than the one in which their parents were raised. Each generation sees things a little differently. One thing, however, remains constant, the fifth commandment:

‘Honor your father and mother…’ Exodus 20:12

By honoring your father and mother, you honor God; it is your Christian duty. You can still honor your parents and not agree with all their views; maybe there are things about the way they live, their diet perhaps, that you don’t agree with, maybe you don’t agree with their views on your future or your friends. That’s O.K., being a Christian doesn’t mean that you have to think exactly the same as every other Christian.

The family is a Christian unit, your parents are there to protect and guide you. Jesus, even though he was the son of God, grew up in a family and he honored his father and mother. Your parents’ guidance should be informed by the word of God and enacted out of their love for you.

Bible Verses About Parenting:

‘Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.’ Ephesians 6:4

Saint Paul was well aware of the generation gap, of the potential for conflict between parent and child, and he reminds the parent that they should exercise self-control and that they should look to the Bible for guidance. We are all sinners and that includes your parents.

If you are struggling to resolve a conflict with your parents, always try and do it in a calm and open-minded way. 

‘A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.’ Proverbs 15:1

Saint Paul’s advice to parents applies to you too. Consider the nature of your disagreement; are both sides of the argument in line with the Bible’s teaching? If they are, I suggest a meeting with your pastor, however, sometimes there may be things that you just can’t seem to resolve and when this happens you must turn to prayer. Pray for yourself and pray for your family and make sure that your parents are always in your prayers. 

Unfortunately, not all parents are good parents. You have a duty to your parents but above that you have a duty to God and if you follow the word of the Lord, then God will always protect you. 

‘When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.’ Psalm 27:10 

If you know your parents to be abusive and you cannot resolve the situation by talking to them, you should continue to pray for them but you must speak to your pastor, your teacher or if necessary a police officer.

‘but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.’ Matthew 18:6