Proverbs - Our Parents' Instruction

Chapter 6:20-23

 My son, keep thy father's commandment,

and forsake not the law of thy mother:

 Bind them continually upon thine heart,

and tie them about thy neck.

 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest,

it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light;

and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

                    Even if we were raised by parents who were not following Christ, the Lord used them in authority over our lives and when we are older we can still draw on many of the things that they imparted to us.  Whether it’s making our beds, being on time, saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ or financial wisdom, we need to take heed to the wisdom we have learned from our parents.  We must test it against the Word of God and if it agrees, we should keep and not forsake what we have been taught.  These instructions should help lead us, help us have restful sleep and guide us when we are awake.

                    Commandments are good.  They let us know what to do and what not to do.  We need to embrace authority and trust that the Lord is using commands given to us for our good.  The scriptures teach us:

                  

“.... that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” 1 Tim 2:1‑2

We are commanded to pray, intercede, and give thanks for the authority that is over us and as well as those who have been over us in the past.  So many people live in the present blaming past authority for their unrighteous treatment.  We need to stop and thank the Lord even for the mistakes our parents might have made trusting that even these can instruct us in what we ought not to do in our current roles of authority.  We must pray, consciously pray, for those in authority over us.  Our landlords, our husbands, our parents, our governing officials, our pastors and church leaders, our law enforcement personnel, our managers and any others who have influence and authority over our lives need to be prayed for and given thanks for.  When we stop, pray and give thanks, we resist the temptation to blame authority and rather accept reproofs of instructions as a way of life for our good and training.  Perhaps you could stop now, pray and give thanks for your mom and dad and ask the Lord to show you what He would have you remember and retain from your mother and father’s instruction.