Teach Your Children To Obey

God commands children to obey their parents (Col 3:20).  By learning to obey you, your children will learn to submit to all authority figures, and will learn how to get along with others.  

But obedience is a learned virtue.  Children are not born obedient.  It takes training and instruction (Eph 6:4).  You can help your children grow in obedience by reading God's word about obedience to them (Eph 6:1-3; Col 3:20), and then by explaining what real obedience looks like.  

Children must obey...

1) Completely.  "Children, obey your parents in everything (Col 3:20)."  Not just some of their commands; not just the commands you agree with, but all of their commands.  

2) Constantly.  "I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever (Ps 119:44)."  Not just when your parents are watching; not just when you are with your parents, but all the time.  

3) Currently.  "I hurried, not hesitating to keep your commands (Ps 119:6)."  Children must obey right away.  Delayed obedience is disobedience.

4) Cheerfully.  "Do everything without complaining or arguing (Phil 2:14)."  It is not enough to just obey; you must obey with a good attitude.

5) Considerately.  "Honor your father and mother (Eph 6:2)."  "Honor" means to have inward respect and reverence for your parents.  It means to "value highly, to hold in the highest regard and respect (MacArthur)."  You must consider your parents in everything you do so that you never cause them shame or sorrow.

6) Christianly.  "Children, obey your parents in the Lord (Eph 6:1)."  "In the Lord" means to obey your parents as long as their commands do not contradict God's commands.  Our allegiance to God always comes first, even before parents.

7) Combinedly.  "Children, obey your parents (Col 3:20)."  Not just your father, and not just your mother.  You must show equal honor obedience to both parents.  

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