Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

- Exodus 20:12

Honoring someone means to show them respect, esteem or value.

Why does God tell us to honor our father and mother?

In this verse, God tells the Israelites to do this, because He knew, they would need obedience and strong families to live peacefully in the Promised Land.

Today, He wants us to honor our parents because He has given them that place in our lives.

Parents should be a good example to their children, putting God first in their lives.

But even if our parents are difficult or challenging, God still expects us to respect them; because doing otherwise is being disobedient to Him.

So how do we honor our parents?

By speaking with kindness, love, and respect to them, and by speaking with kindness when we speak of them.

God also tells us to honor all men, including those in leadership.

When we rebel against those in authority, it dishonors Him.

Throughout the Bible there are lessons on honor and love.

We tend to be self-centered and self-serving people, but when we put others’ needs above ourselves, we honor God.

TODAY: How might you show honor and respect to your parents or someone else in your life?  

With Love,
Paper Sunday