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Post by coveredinharmony on Jan 1, 2008 22:45:26 GMT -5
Hi, brethren! I've got a bit of a silly but nonetheless important-to-me question about obedience toward my parents. I firmly believe I am to obey my parents in everything unless they call me into sin (and I praise God they never have!).
My question is this: Is it disobedient to refuse suggestions or recommendations?
Is it disobedience if I don't put tomatoes on my dinner when my Daddy tells me to do so, when I dislike tomatoes (and have a mild allergy to them)? How about if my parents are watching a movie, and they ask me to join (but don't require it)? Or if they ask me if I want to go to the store with them, and I say no? Or in that same scenario, if they say they would really like me to go, but I want to stay home?
Thanks for your answers. It's a little silly but it's been bothering me.
Love in Christ,
Sarah
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kscarle
Member
Philippians 4:4, Romans 12:1, John 14:15
Posts: 97
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Post by kscarle on Jan 3, 2008 18:40:45 GMT -5
I do not know why your dad would ask you to partake of something that is harmful to you (tomatoes, if your allergic to them) so I am really not sure how to answer that part. I did make my daughter eat what I knew was right and she does not like certain things.
As far as the movies, it is more honoring to your parents for you to do right. The store is something I do not know either, I will tell you that it doesn't seem like they are asking anything wrong in requesting your presence.
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Post by coveredinharmony on Jan 4, 2008 11:55:53 GMT -5
My Dad sometimes does that (tomatoes) without thinking. The allergy is something we recently discovered. And my Dad always says I eat anything he puts in front of me! I just can't eat tomatoes. I have decided (after several days of praying about it) to avoid movies with my parents. My Mom (though I know she isn't intending anything bad) doesn't like to watch movies that are G or PG--they aren't exciting enough for her. So lately they've been watching violent movies, something I know is inappropriate. I've also had a change of heart in regards to benign things like accompanying my parents somewhere or doing something harmless. I've been reading several books on marriage, and the concept of submission has really been standing out to me. I've really begun to see that submission is a heart desire to please, not just doing what is explicitly commanded. It's kind of a radical shift, really. Love in Christ, Sarah
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Post by Tammy on Jan 5, 2008 0:47:57 GMT -5
Sarah, I think you should defer to your parents' desires, as long as there is nothing ungodly in what they ask you to do. Going to the store with them when they ask you to, for example, shows them that you enjoy being with them, and don't mind helping out. To deny yourself what you wanted to do in order to please your parents is to show them love and respect. ...And that's good practice for when you are married. Sis Tammy
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Post by Brother Ben on Jan 6, 2008 15:42:56 GMT -5
Sarah,
I'm sure if you remind your dad that you have problems with tomatoes, he will defer to your prefrence. If he wants you to go to the store with him, that is relatively nutral, so I would tend to obey, unless you are ill or have prior obligations. However, I would humbly and respectfully advise your father (if this is the case) that you have made a covenant with God and your eyes to set no wicked thing before them. There is plenty of scripture to support such convictions.
As I have said before, obedience is expected of God for those in authority over us in all cases EXCEPT when they ask us to sin against God and His principles. Some have the twisted idea that God will ignore sin if we are doing it in respect of those who have authority over us. This is error.
Your humble and Christ honoring walk before them will many times afford you the ability to practice the convictions that the Lord has developed in your life.
Ezr 6:21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, Ezr 6:22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Here is a classic example of God honoring the separation of His children from practices, even from a pagan king.
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Post by wife on Jan 12, 2008 12:26:01 GMT -5
I have found that I often ask my children if they would like to do something, but I really don't mean it as a request. When they were younger, they jumped at the opportunity to do as I wanted, but now - when they see it as optional (because I say it that way) they decline. My husband has gotten onto me about making sure I make it known whether it is a request or a command. You may just ask your parents if they are really wanting you to do something but making it sound optional.
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