We live in a time where teenagers and even people up to their mid-twenty’s act very disrespectfully to their parents and people older than them. Since we know how to use the latest devices and we know the newest styles, we think that we know more than they do. So we do not come to them when we need advice or when we need to be comforted, because we think that they will not understand. But each one knows what it is like to be a teenager and knows what it is like to take care of babies and kids. They have gone through everything we have and even more.

An example of youth who disrespected their elder in the Old Testament is found in 2 Kings 2:23-24, “Then [Elisha] went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the way, young lads came out from the city and mocked him and said to him, ‘Go up, you baldhead; go up you baldhead!’ When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two lads of their number” (name added by editor). Disrespect displeased God then and it still displeases Him now.

Matthew 7:12 says “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” When we are older we want people to respect us, so why do we not respect them? Matthew 15:4 quotes from the old law saying “He who speakds evil of father or mother is to be put to death.” It is a good thing that we are under the new law; how many of us today would be put to death? Having said that, we should not be gossiping or complaining about our parents to our friends or to other people, even if we think that what they are doing is mean or not smart. They know what they are doing and they know that it is for the best.

Colossians 3:20 says “Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.” There is going to be someone that looks up to you: it could be a sibling, it could be someone you babysit or it could be a friend; there is always someone. That is one of the reasons why you should be respectful to others, so that by your actions you can be teaching someone to do the same. Because when you are being respectful to your parents, then you are also respecting God by obeying His commandment and you will be blessed for it. “Honor your father and mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” Exodus 20:12

By Abigail Warnes
Abigail Warnes (age 14)  is the fifth of nine kids and is the proud aunt of two nieces. Homeschooled by her parents, Jon and Laura Warnes, they all attend the Bear Valley church of Christ where her father serves as a deacon.  Some of her hobbies include decorating cakes and sewing.