God vs Parents, Who Ought We to Follow?

God vs Parents: Who Ought We to Follow?

In the Bible, we are told to honor our parents: "You know the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother," (Luke 18:20 NASB1995). With this great rule, we must also follow the Lord God: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment," (Matthew 22:36-38 NASB1995). The greatest commandment is loving our Lord, all the other commandments come from it.

Yet, who should we follow if our parents say one thing and God says the other? What we must do is follow God, for this is the greatest command. Jesus tells us: “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple," (Luke 14:26 NASB1995). This is to an extent an exaggeration, but Jesus is saying that if your love of God is not of the highest, you fail as a disciple.

He too tells us, "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law," (Luke 12:51-53 NASB1995). Families will divide over Jesus; even so, we must stay strong and persevere in Christ.

The laws of God abide over any authority, yet be wise, do not do what is foolish. If you are diabetic, perhaps do not fast a meal, use wisdom with your actions.

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