You Guys

(Matthew 15:4 KJV) For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 

This scripture has always been interesting to me because it seemed as though the punishment was far worse than the crime. However, as I continued to read and meditate on it I realized that I had missed the main principle.

Our text is ultimately speaking of dishonoring God. The way that is done is by dishonoring one’s parents. When one dishonors their parents that means they are devaluing them…which also means they are devaluing God. God is the source of life through the parents and that is why our text says, “...let him die the death.”

This does not necessarily mean literal death…it could mean spiritual death. Dishonor or disrespect slowly chips away at one’s sensitivity and dulls it until it becomes as if it were dead. This is one of the subtle ways that Satan uses to destroy young people today from the inside out. To make things even worse many of the old folks justify the young people’s behavior by saying things like, “Well they are just going through a stage.”

Going through a stage is when young people yield to the carnal nature of their flesh. Dishonoring on the other hand has to do with what comes out of their mouth. This is why the Bible says in Proverbs 18:21 that, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

There is something about honor and respect that is so important to God for Him to warrant such a penalty if it is not shown.

I have noticed over the years how disrespect and dishonor seem to have gradually taken a place in everyday conversations. No longer does there seem to be a difference between male and female or between old and young.

I suppose there are few things that get to me quicker and deeper than for a young person to walk up to my wife and me in a nice restaurant or store and say, “Can I help you guys?” The fact is, my wife is not a guy…she is a woman of age and deserves honor and respect. When did sir and ma'am go out of style?

One of the reasons we have become a unisex society with a ‘you guys mentality’ is because it is Satan’s way to carry out his campaign of dishonoring God.

The prize of the future is our young people and that is why Satan wants to use their mouths to speak judgment to themselves as well as to dishonor God.

Father,

Help us to recapture the days of showing honor to You by showing honor to our parents as well as all older folks. Lord, help us to disarm the trap that Satan has set for our young people so they can take their place as our future leaders and examples for the next generation.

Amen