![]() ![]() Now for the big question: how do we obey God’s commandment to honor parents who behave with such cruelty toward their own children? The damage such abuse causes can last a lifetime. There is, of course, the more obvious kind-when a child is neglected, kicked and beaten and, worse still, sexually abused. As grown-ups, they find it difficult to make friends and are unable to relate normally to other adults. These children grow up never suffering physically at the hands of their parents but nevertheless crippled in their spirits. Because very young children naturally believe what their parents say about them, the child who suffers this treatment will gradually withdraw into himself, retiring behind an invisible wall and simply existing rather than living. Everything he attempts is sneered at until he gives up trying to do anything at all. Then again, a child’s spirit may be broken at an early age-even though he suffers no physical abuse-by being constantly told that he is useless and a waste of space. Eventually, he grows to adulthood everything seems to be normal, yet he is crippled inside by the indifference of his parents. No physical harm is ever done to him, yet, as each year goes by, his spirit shrivels up inside him more and more, as a plant will shrivel without sunlight, desperate for the smallest demonstration of affection. A child can be brought up well clothed and fed with all his needs supplied except for the all-important need for love and approval. Should we honor and obey an abusive parent? Where do we draw the line?Ībuse comes in many forms. There are many hurt and damaged people who find these commands nearly impossible to obey. It would be so much easier if God had asked only that we honor our parents if they are good, kind and loving to us, but the command of Exodus 20:12 is “Honor your father and mother,” period. ![]()
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