What Does It Mean to 'Honor Your Father and Mother'? - Misconceptions About Honoring One's Father and Mother

Misconception:  To honor your father and mother, you must let them control  your marriage.

Fact: The Bible teaches that the marriage bond takes priority over other family members. Genesis 2:24 says: "A man will leave his father and his mother and he will stick to his wife." (Matthew 19:4, 5) Of course married couples can benefit from the advice of their parents or in-laws.  (Proverbs 23:22) However, a couple may rightly decide to set boundaries limiting the involvement of relatives in their marriage. - MATTHEW 19:6.

Misconception: Your father and mother have ultimate authority. 

Fact: Although God gave parents authority within the family, all human authority has limits-it never overrules God's authority. For instance, when a high court ordered Jesus' disciples to disobey God, they replied: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men." (Acts 5:27-29) Likewise, children obey their parents "in union with the Lord," that is, in all things that do not conflict with God's laws. - EPHESIANS 6:1.

Misconception: Honoring your father and mother require you to follow their religious beliefs.

Fact: The Bible encourages us to test what we are being taught to see whether it is in the truth.  (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1) An individual who does so may eventually choose a faith that differs from that of his parents. The Bible mentions a number of faithful  servants of God who did not follow the religion of their parents, including Abraham, Ruth and the apostle Paul.  -JOSHUA 24:2, 14, 15; RUTH 1:15, 16; GALATIANS 1:14-16, 22-24. 

Misconception: To honor your father and mother, you must share in traditional rites  of ancestor worship.

Fact: The Bible says: "It is to Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service." (Luke 4:8)  A person who worships his ancestors is displeasing to God.  Moreover, the Bible teaches that "the dead know nothing at all."  They are not aware of any homage rendered to them; neither can help or harm the living. - ECCLESIASTES 9:5, 10; ISAIAH 8:19. 

Next time: What Does the Bible Say About Blood Transfusions? - The Bible's Answer

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