Had any of you invoked the fourth commandment on your children?
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27562)
Philippines
June 22, 2009 3:16am CST
Obedience is a virtue that I believe God demands of us. That is why I try to instill in my children the importance of the fourth commandment - Obey your father and your mother. I tell everyone that God had put that commandment next to Him because respecting the elderly is of prime importance in living a good life. Disobedience or disrespect is punishable by short life. A parent's request or order knows no age nor status in life. One may be an ambassador or a neurosurgeon but when a father tells you to bring the garbage out, there is no choice but to obey. My children are in their teens but whenever they second thought about heeding my command, I invoke the fourth commandment. They yield immediately.
1 response
@ribbon1226 (192)
• United States
23 Jun 09
As soon as I saw the word Obedience I thought we were talking about animals. My heart goes out to your kids. Its sounds like your a bit controlling. I think respect cannot be forced, it is earned.
Your words...Demand, Obey, Command, Yield literally gave me an upset stomach when I realized you were talking about children.
Are you teaching them that disobedience and disrespect is punishable by a short life? Whose life? Who is punishing? Hate to tell you, I was disobedient as a child and disrespectful at times too. Well here I am, age 47, still here, great life, great kids that I have loved and treasured since day one. I never felt my children were something I could order to respect me or instill fear in them if they did not because a "God" demands it. I have always felt so blessed that I was allowed to raise these children with love and care, guidance and support and I am honored today to be the adored Mom of two beautiful, smart woman.
Your words alone scare me.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
26 Jun 09
Please read again the context of the discussion. Does it say anything about animals? Or do you right away just think about animals when you see the word obedience? Obedience is a virtue primarily for the human person. It connotes respect. I merely want to say that we must instill the discipline in our children. That is what the fourth commandment tells us. Reread the good book and see what the Almighty says about violating this particular commandment. Actually, I was surprised by the upset stomach scenario. Are you, in a way, confused? Hate to tell you, but God punishes us in His time.
@ribbon1226 (192)
• United States
27 Jun 09
Hate to tell you, God does not punish anyone. Many use God as their excuse to punish but there is not a punishing God.
