Honor your father and mother

Aug 11, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: When Disagreement Becomes Disrespect

The Fourth Commandment calls believers to honor flawed human authorities as God’s chosen instruments. This includes political leaders whose policies or character we oppose. To mock, slander, or demean those in power isn’t just political disagreement—it’s rebellion against God’s sovereign appointment. Romans 13 warns that contempt for authority brings divine judgment, not because leaders are perfect, but because God ordained their role. Honoring them becomes an act of trust in God’s ultimate control. [10:00]

“Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1-2, CSB)

Reflection: When have you crossed the line from critiquing policies to disrespecting a leader’s God-given role? How might honoring authority reshape your conversations this week?

Day 2: Honor Beyond Our Parents’ Perfection

The command to “honor your father and mother” isn’t conditional on their worthiness. Even abusive or neglectful parents bear the sacred weight of being God’s chosen vessels to give life. This doesn’t mean excusing sin, but recognizing their role as part of God’s design. The struggle to honor imperfect parents reveals our deeper need for grace—and points us to the perfect Father. [07:14]

“Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12, CSB)

Reflection: What unresolved hurt toward a parent makes honoring them feel impossible? How might Christ’s forgiveness empower you to see their role through God’s eyes?

Day 3: The Mirror of the Commandments

Studying the Ten Commandments isn’t about moral improvement—it’s about seeing our spiritual bankruptcy. Each law acts like a mirror, exposing our innate rebellion against God’s order. The harder we try to obey, the more we realize our need for rescue. This crushing awareness prepares us to truly cherish the gospel: Christ kept the commands we break. [02:09]

“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, ‘Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed.’” (Galatians 3:10, CSB)

Reflection: Which commandment most exposes your hidden heart attitudes? How does this awareness deepen your gratitude for Christ’s perfect obedience?

Day 4: Badmouthing as Spiritual Rebellion

Gossiping about leaders—whether presidents, bosses, or pastors—isn’t harmless venting. It’s a direct challenge to God’s sovereignty. When we ridicule those in authority, we imply God messed up by placing them there. This doesn’t forbid constructive criticism but demands we check our motives: Are we seeking justice or indulging pride? [11:20]

“Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.” (Titus 3:1-2, CSB)

Reflection: What recent conversation tempted you to dishonor authority? How could gentleness and kindness reframe your critique?

Day 5: The Spirit’s Power in Impossible Obedience

We cannot honor unlovable authorities through willpower alone. The Fourth Commandment drives us to dependence on the Holy Spirit, who transforms grudging compliance into Christlike love. Just as the Spirit empowered Jesus to honor flawed religious leaders and corrupt rulers, He gives us grace to see God’s hand even in broken systems. [14:31]

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” (Galatians 5:22-23, CSB)

Reflection: Which authority figure requires supernatural love to honor? How can you actively invite the Spirit to reshape your heart toward them?

Sermon Summary

The Ten Commandments stand as the best summary of how God wants his people to live and how Christians want to live. The commandments do not merely give a clean little list of rules. They show how horribly sinful the human heart is and how seldom God’s will is actually kept. Sin says to God, “I do not want to do what you say,” and sin without forgiveness leads to hell. God’s law therefore strips away every thought that a person can keep himself out of hell by his own doing.

The gospel begins to shine when the commandments have done that hard work. God knows every sin, every rejection, every turning away again and again. Yet God says that through faith in Jesus Christ all sins are forgiven. The forgiveness of sins in Christ becomes precious when the law has shown how badly mercy is needed.

The fourth commandment says, “Honor your father and your mother.” The commandment can seem easy when parents are good and loving, when discipline comes inside a home where children know they are dearly loved. The commandment, however, does not say to honor parents only if they were good parents. God chose those parents and placed them over their children, and that calling gives them an authority that is to be honored. Obedience to parents still has limits, because no parent may be obeyed when that obedience would mean disobeying God.

The fourth commandment also reaches beyond the home to “parents and other authorities.” Romans 13:2 says that rebellion against authority is rebellion against what God has instituted. God is the almighty ruler of heaven and earth, and God has allowed duly elected leaders to be placed in authority. Political disagreement may be real and even strong, but disagreement does not give permission to despise, mock, or speak evil of God-given leaders.

Bad mouthing those in authority is therefore a serious matter. Such speech says to God, in effect, “You fouled up by putting this person in charge.” A free country allows disagreement with presidents and leaders, but Christian faith does not allow contempt and evil speech. Faith in Jesus brings forgiveness even for sins against the fourth commandment, and the Holy Spirit alone gives power to honor, serve, obey, love, and cherish those whom God has placed over people, especially when that honoring is hard.

Key Takeaways

1. Commandments reveal sin and mercy [03:10] The law does not flatter the human heart or pretend that obedience comes naturally. The commandments show how deep rebellion goes, so that the gospel is not treated as a small religious add-on. Forgiveness in Christ shines brightest when sin has been named honestly before God. [03:10]
2. Honor does not require agreement [09:35] Romans 13 places authority under God’s ordering, not under personal preference. A Christian may disagree with a leader’s policies, priorities, and direction without treating that leader with contempt. Honor is not the same thing as approval, but it refuses to let disagreement become rebellion against God. [09:35]
3. Bad mouthing is serious rebellion [11:20] Evil speech against authority is not harmless venting when God has placed that authority in the world. Such speech can quietly accuse God of mismanaging his own creation. The tongue reveals whether political frustration has become spiritual arrogance. [11:20]
4. The Spirit empowers hard obedience [14:07] The fourth commandment cannot be kept by human strength, especially when authority feels undeserving. Sinful hearts naturally resist, criticize, and justify contempt. The Holy Spirit gives the strength to honor rightly, not by pretending leaders are perfect, but by fearing and loving God.

## [14:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Prayer for God’s Word
[00:46] - Why Study the Ten Commandments
[01:52] - The Law Shows Sin
[03:10] - The Gospel Begins to Shine
[03:43] - Reciting the Ten Commandments
[05:05] - Commandments That Seem Easier
[07:14] - Honoring Imperfect Parents
[08:03] - Authority Beyond the Home
[09:35] - Romans 13 and Rebellion
[11:03] - The Danger of Bad Mouthing Leaders
[12:46] - Disagreement Without Evil Speech
[13:41] - Only the Holy Spirit Can Help
[15:20] - Luther’s Meaning of the Fourth Commandment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” [15:27]

Observation questions

In Exodus 20:12, what relationship is named directly, and what promise is attached to that command?
What reasons are given for spending time studying the Ten Commandments, beyond simply learning a list of rules? [01:42]
What limits are placed on obedience to parents when what they ask would lead to disobedience toward God? [07:54]
What kinds of speech and attitudes toward leaders are warned against, especially when there is strong political disagreement? [12:46]

Interpretation questions

The command to honor father and mother does not include the words “if they were good parents.” What does that suggest about where this command gets its weight and authority? [07:40]
If rebellion against authority is rebellion against what God has instituted, how should Christians understand the difference between honest disagreement and sinful contempt? [09:47]
Bad mouthing leaders can become a way of saying to God, “You fouled up.” Why is careless speech about authority treated as a spiritual issue, not just a social habit? [12:25]
The commandments expose sin, and then the gospel shines through the forgiveness found in Christ. Why is that order important for understanding both guilt and mercy rightly? [03:10]

Application questions

When thoughts turn to parents, guardians, or other authorities, where is there still resentment, contempt, or anger in the heart? What would honoring them look like without pretending the hurt was small or unreal? [07:14]
In conversations about politics, when is there a temptation to cross the line from disagreement into mocking, harshness, or evil speech? What usually triggers that? [11:03]
The fourth commandment reaches not only to parents but also to “other authorities.” Who are the authorities a person is most tempted to despise right now, and why? [15:31]
When authority feels undeserving, what helps a believer remember that honor is finally given out of fear and love for God, not because leaders are always wise or good? [14:16]
If a parent or leader asks for something that would require disobedience to God, how could a Christian refuse clearly and faithfully while still showing honor? [08:03]
The law strips away the idea that anyone can keep himself out of hell by his own doing. Where is there still a tendency to excuse sin, minimize it, or trust personal decency instead of Christ’s forgiveness? [02:05]
Since only the Holy Spirit gives strength to honor, serve, obey, love, and cherish those placed over us, what specific relationship or situation most needs that help this week? [14:07]

Sermon Clips

67s

#HonorAuthoritiesByGrace

“``But as forgiven sinners, here's our challenge. How can we, even though we know we shouldn't badmouth our leaders, how can we obey this commandment and honor all those whom god has put in authority over us? Only in the very same way we're able to keep any of god's righteous commandments. We can never, by our own power and strength, obey this commandment or any of them. For with these sinful hearts, we fail. We fail again and again to keep this commandment or any of his commandments. My dear friends, it is only under the power of the holy spirit that we can honor those who that god has put an authority over us, especially those we disagree with.”

61s

#RelyOnHolySpirit

“We can never, by our own power and strength, obey this commandment or any of them. For with these sinful hearts, we fail. We fail again and again to keep this commandment or any of his commandments. My dear friends, it is only under the power of the holy spirit that we can honor those who that god has put an authority over us, especially those we disagree with. My prayer for us is this, may god strengthen our faith in Jesus and fill us with an even greater measure of the Holy Spirit so that we may truly honor all those that God has put over us, especially when we disagree with them.”

70s

#PrayerForStrengthInFaith

“Only in the very same way we're able to keep any of god's righteous commandments. We can never, by our own power and strength, obey this commandment or any of them. For with these sinful hearts, we fail. We fail again and again to keep this commandment or any of his commandments. My dear friends, it is only under the power of the holy spirit that we can honor those who that god has put an authority over us, especially those we disagree with. My prayer for us is this, may god strengthen our faith in Jesus and fill us with an even greater measure of the Holy Spirit so that we may truly honor all those that God has put over us, especially when we disagree with them. That's my prayer.”

70s

#GospelShinesThroughConfession

“Simply put, as we study the commandments, we realize that we have failed miserably to keep the commandments. And, also, as we study the commandments, it gives us the opportunity to turn to our god and say, help me. I understand how I failed you, lord. Help me. And turn to him and say, please, Jesus, holy spirit, I need your help. And it is only then. You see, it is only when we understand how horribly sinful we are that the gospel really begins to shine. And Jesus says to us, our god says to us, yes, I know all ever wanted your sins. I know you've rejected me and turned away from me again and again and again. But now listen, through your faith in Jesus Christ, all your sins are forgiven.”

60s

#SinAwarenessLeadsToForgiveness

“And, also, as we study the commandments, it gives us the opportunity to turn to our god and say, help me. I understand how I failed you, lord. Help me. And turn to him and say, please, Jesus, holy spirit, I need your help. And it is only then. You see, it is only when we understand how horribly sinful we are that the gospel really begins to shine. And Jesus says to us, our god says to us, yes, I know all ever wanted your sins. I know you've rejected me and turned away from me again and again and again. But now listen, through your faith in Jesus Christ, all your sins are forgiven.”

79s

#RespectLeadersEvenIfDisagree

“I like to say it this way, God is the almighty ruler of heaven and earth who is in charge of all things throughout the world. And our god has allowed Donald j Trump to be our president. Therefore, to not honor him is to rebel against god. Of course, I'm not talking about honoring a dictator like Hitler. No. I'm talking about simply honoring our duly elected president that we might disagree with politically. You know, we're so tempted to what I call bad mouth president Trump or anybody in authority that we don't like. But when we do so, when we bad mouth our leaders, we are bringing God's judgment upon ourselves.”

76s

#BadmouthingLeadersHurtsSpiritually

“And do you realize when we badmouth presidents, we are I'm having my troubles here y'all. We are saying to god, you fouled up. You fouled up by putting this man in charge of our nation. Of course, in this wonderful freedom loving country that we have, We have the privilege and right to disagree with our president. But my dear friends, we dare never speak evil of him or any of our god given leaders. Certainly, as Christians, we know that simply through faith in Jesus and trusting him is atoning death on the cross for our and for our sake. We know that simply through faith in him, all our sins, including our sins against the fourth commandment, are forgiven.”

76s

#AvoidSpeakingEvilOfLeaders

“My dear friends, I know it's so easy in in our conversations to badmouth someone in authority. But my dear friends, that's a very serious matter. And do you realize when we badmouth presidents, we are I'm having my troubles here y'all. We are saying to god, you fouled up. You fouled up by putting this man in charge of our nation. Of course, in this wonderful freedom loving country that we have, We have the privilege and right to disagree with our president. But my dear friends, we dare never speak evil of him or any of our god given leaders.”

77s

#HonorParentsRegardless

“Therefore, even then but especially now, it is easy for me to say, hey. I can keep this commandment, honor your father and your mother. But did you notice that the commandment did not say, oh, what's going on there? Did not say, honor your father and your mother if they're good parents who loved you dearly. Did did you pick up on that? No. The commandment says, honor your father and your mother. Certainly, I do not understand how we can obey this commandment when our parents are not good parents, are not good loving parents who are trying to raise us in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. But this we know. This we know that god chose them to be our parents and therefore put them over us. Therefore, we are to honor them as our god chosen parents.”

79s

#HonorParentsEvenIfFlawed

“But did you notice that the commandment did not say, oh, what's going on there? Did not say, honor your father and your mother if they're good parents who loved you dearly. Did did you pick up on that? No. The commandment says, honor your father and your mother. Certainly, I do not understand how we can obey this commandment when our parents are not good parents, are not good loving parents who are trying to raise us in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. But this we know. This we know that god chose them to be our parents and therefore put them over us. Therefore, we are to honor them as our god chosen parents. Of course, there may be times when our parents want us to disobey god and his commandments, and that those might be times when we disobey our parents and don't do what they say.”

74s

#ChildhoodDisciplineAndLove

“I know it's hard for you to believe, but here's what we knew. No matter how bad we act, no matter how many times we disobeyed them, and even though they punished us every time they caught us, we knew that our mom and dad loved us dearly. Therefore, even then but especially now, it is easy for me to say, hey. I can keep this commandment, honor your father and your mother. But did you notice that the commandment did not say, oh, what's going on there? Did not say, honor your father and your mother if they're good parents who loved you dearly. Did did you pick up on that? No. The commandment says, honor your father and your mother.”

72s

#CommandmentsRevealOurNeed

“As we study the commandments, the bottom line is this, we come to understand how hard it is, how impossible it is for us to keep ourselves out of hell. Because if you sin without forgiveness, you go to hell. Simple as that. For what sin is, is saying to God, I do not want to do what you say. And Jesus says, okay. God says, okay. That's what you want, go to hell. Simply put, as we study the commandments, we realize that we have failed miserably to keep the commandments. And, also, as we study the commandments, it gives us the opportunity to turn to our god and say, help me. I understand how I failed you, lord. Help me. And turn to him and say, please, Jesus, holy spirit, I need your help.”

83s

#TenCommandmentsGuideLife

“I challenge you with this question. Why am I so willing to spend this amount of time reviewing and studying the 10 commandments? Important question. And my answer is this, because very simply, they are the best summary of how god wants us to live how we as Christians want to live. I wanna repeat that. Why am I so important why am I wanting to speak on the 10 commandments? Because very simply, they are the best summary of how god wants us to live and as Christians the way we want to live. And also, it is as we study the commandments that we come to understand how horribly sinful we are and how seldom we keep the commandments.”

66s

#HonorDulyElectedLeaders

64s

#RebellingAgainstGodByDishonor

“And our god has allowed Donald j Trump to be our president. Therefore, to not honor him is to rebel against god. Of course, I'm not talking about honoring a dictator like Hitler. No. I'm talking about simply honoring our duly elected president that we might disagree with politically. You know, we're so tempted to what I call bad mouth president Trump or anybody in authority that we don't like. But when we do so, when we bad mouth our leaders, we are bringing God's judgment upon ourselves.”

53s

#ForgivenessEnablesObedience

“Certainly, as Christians, we know that simply through faith in Jesus and trusting him is atoning death on the cross for our and for our sake. We know that simply through faith in him, all our sins, including our sins against the fourth commandment, are forgiven. But as forgiven sinners, here's our challenge. How can we, even though we know we shouldn't badmouth our leaders, how can we obey this commandment and honor all those whom god has put in authority over us?”

74s

#HonorLeadersDespiteDisagreement

“Of course, in this wonderful freedom loving country that we have, We have the privilege and right to disagree with our president. But my dear friends, we dare never speak evil of him or any of our god given leaders. Certainly, as Christians, we know that simply through faith in Jesus and trusting him is atoning death on the cross for our and for our sake. We know that simply through faith in him, all our sins, including our sins against the fourth commandment, are forgiven. But as forgiven sinners, here's our challenge. How can we, even though we know we shouldn't badmouth our leaders, how can we obey this commandment and honor all those whom god has put in authority over us?”

60s

#SinLeadsToSeparationFromGod

“And also, it is as we study the commandments that we come to understand how horribly sinful we are and how seldom we keep the commandments. As we study the commandments, the bottom line is this, we come to understand how hard it is, how impossible it is for us to keep ourselves out of hell. Because if you sin without forgiveness, you go to hell. Simple as that. For what sin is, is saying to God, I do not want to do what you say. And Jesus says, okay. God says, okay. That's what you want, go to hell.”

54s

#HonorGodChosenParents

“Certainly, I do not understand how we can obey this commandment when our parents are not good parents, are not good loving parents who are trying to raise us in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. But this we know. This we know that god chose them to be our parents and therefore put them over us. Therefore, we are to honor them as our god chosen parents. Of course, there may be times when our parents want us to disobey god and his commandments, and that those might be times when we disobey our parents and don't do what they say.”

51s

#CherishLeadersYouDisagreeWith

“Let's suppose for a minute that you and I are diehard Democrats and oppose almost everything that he wants to accomplish and is doing. Then how can your eye, as Luther says in his explanation, honor him, serve and obey him, love and cherish him? God expects us to cherish and honor a president that we totally disagree with? Man, it's a real question, isn't it? A real struggle.”

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St. Paul Lutheran Church Harlingen, Texas This sermon · AI assistant

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