Day 2 — Honor Your Father and Mother

“Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”

— Exodus 20:12 (BSB)

When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, the first four were about loving God. The fifth was the first one about loving people. And which people did God start with? Your parents.

“Honor your father and mother.”

What does it mean to honor someone? It means treating them as important and valuable. It means showing them respect in the way you talk to them, the way you listen, and the way you act.

Honoring your parents might look like:

• Obeying them the first time, without arguing.
• Speaking kindly, not rudely or sarcastically.
• Saying thank you for the things they do for you.
• Helping around the house.
• Not rolling your eyes or slamming doors when you don’t get your way!
• Telling them the truth.

Paul pointed out that this is “the first commandment with a promise” (Ephesians 6:2). God promised that people who honor their parents would enjoy a good, long life. God designed families so that when kids honor their parents, things go better for everyone.

Notice that the commandment doesn’t say, “Honor your father and mother if they’re perfect.” No parent is perfect! Parents get tired and stressed. They make mistakes. Sometimes they’re wrong. But God still asks us to treat them with respect, because He’s the one who placed them in our lives.

The same goes for grandparents, stepparents, foster parents or whoever is raising you. God has put them in your life to care for you.

But here’s something important to know: honoring your parents never means doing something wrong or unsafe. If any grown-up, even a parent, asks you to do something you know is wrong, or if anyone is hurting you, you should tell another trusted adult, like a teacher, school counselor or pastor. God wants you to be safe.

Jesus Himself honored His parents. Even as the Son of God, He obeyed Mary and Joseph when He was growing up. And even while He was dying on the cross, He made sure His mother would be taken care of.

Think about it: What’s one way you’ve shown honor to your parents lately? What’s one way you could honor them better?

Try this: Do something today to honor your parents without being asked. Write them a thank-you note, do a chore, or simply obey the first time.

Dear God, thank You for my parents and the people who take care of me. Help me honor them with my words and my actions. When it’s hard to obey or be respectful, give me a humble heart. And please bless my family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.