How Honoring Fathers Honors God
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” -Ephesians 6:2-3
Every few years or so, my birthday falls on Father’s Day, which is especially meaningful to me because it reminds me of being born on my Father’s birthday.
As a child, I loved sharing my birthdays with him. Memories include my Dad and me splurging at Dairy Queen on our birthdays, being able to pick out whatever ice cream treats our hearts desired, whereas we usually just bought a chocolate-covered ice cream cone.
As adults, often living miles apart, we spent fewer birthdays together, but even so, my Dad would send a special birthday card just from him, writing once again, like he did every year, how I was the best birthday gift he ever received.
Having a loving relationship with my Dad taught me how to have a loving relationship with God as my Father.
Honoring Fathers Is Not to Be Taken Lightly
Sadly, countless individuals in the world don’t grow up having a loving father, but instead experience very different relationships with their earthly fathers, hindering many from receiving and having a loving relationship with God, their Father.
It’s heartbreaking to hear and understandable why some believe it’s okay to kick fathers to the curb, seeing them as unnecessary and of no importance in their lives. Yet, in honoring fathers, we praise God by honoring His word.
Scripture doesn’t brush over or take dishonoring fathers lightly. Instead, it comes with a heavy cost, as Proverbs 30:11-13 explains. “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; the eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.”
Honoring Fathers Reveres God
Fatherhood has definitely taken a hit over the years, with many individuals seeing men’s position and place in the family and our culture as non-essential.
Unfortunately, social media has created platforms where it is way too easy for individuals to say and write whatever they wish about their fathers and men overall, and to the world, disrespecting and dishonoring, being taken to new levels.
But even though some men may fail as fathers, God doesn’t support disrespecting them because it dishonors Him. As Proverbs 20:20 warns, “If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.”
The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:7 reminds us that man is the glory of God, and that even how we treat men old enough to be our fathers matters to God, as noted in 1 Timothy 5:1.“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers.”
Likewise, as Leviticus 19:32 reminds us, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.”
Honoring Fathers Honors God
Although society may say it’s okay to dishonor fathers, God’s word does not, and He is still saying, “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old”—Proverbs 23.22
God created the family structure, setting fathers in a place of honor, calling us to honor Him by honoring them. “Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!” (Hebrews 12:9)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If you’re finding it difficult to honor your father, or any father, because of your own experiences with your earthly father, ask your Heavenly Father to heal your heart from the wounds and hurt you may be carrying. Ask Him to show you how to honor fathers in a way that pleases Him.
Further Reading:
Why It Is So Important to Honor Our Parents?
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/andreswd
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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