Ephesians 6:1-3

 A Focus on the Family

At what point does the command to obey and honor your parents stop? Is there a statute of limitations to this command? Is there an age when you grow out of “obeying your parents”?

Oftentimes, we read Ephesians 6:1-3 or the command in Exodus and Deuteronomy to “Honor your father and mother” and we immediately think that this instruction is only for kids. These are verses that we hold over our young children’s heads when they are being disobedient or not doing their chores. I do think they apply to kids, but they also apply to adults as well. You never outgrow the command to honor your father and mother. You never stop obeying your parents. 

It’s been over two years now since my dad’s death. My dad was a righteous man of God. He was an example to look up to. He and my mom raised my sister and me in a godly way. They lived out Proverbs 22:6 which says, “train up a child in the way he should go, even when he grows older, he will not abandon it.” They did their part, and I am doing my part by not abandoning the fear of the Lord that was instilled in me.

Just because we grow up doesn’t mean we grow out of obeying our parents. Even when our parents pass away, we are still instructed to obey them. Are there caveats and exceptions when our parents do not raise us in a godly way? Of course. Our ultimate devotion and allegiance is to the Lord. But when our parents raise us in a godly way, we must never stop obeying our parents.