Disobedience to Parents: Why is Sin Sinful?

Because I was the preacher, the request came to me. A grandmother requested that someone visit her grandson who was in the county jail.

He had committed a crime. And yet, no one faulted that grandmother for her love and concern for her grandson. Even though he was in jail, and she was not blind to his crime, she did not want to characterize him in any other way.: “He’s a good boy,” she said.

Sometimes parental love casts a veil over the eyes. Some parents do not see their children through the lens of reality. Regardless of what they do or say, the parent overlooks or minimizes their children’s bad attitudes and behavior.

I know of no parents who want to admit that their children do wrong as they grow older. I’d rather address this subject in general terms by saying, We all know it’s true; we are all sinners. (That includes my kids without naming them.)

Parents of younger children need to take notice. There will be a time at which each of your children will be old enough to be held personally accountable to God for his/her sin. So, as much as we do not like to think about it, we need to think about it. Our kids grow up to be sinners.

Solomon encouraged his sons over and over to listen! For example:

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

—Proverbs 1:8

Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old. 

 —Proverbs 23:22

Turning to the New Testament we find:

Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

—Colossians 3:20 (See also Ephesians 6:1.)

With these and many other positive teachings comes a strong admonition from the Apostle Paul. He reminded parents and children that disobedience to parents is an ungodly behavior that will result in God’s wrathful judgment. (Romans 1:30 and 2 Timothy 3:2).

Consistent disobedience in a child is a sign that God’s authority structure in the home is misunderstood or simply not honored. In too many homes, far too many Christian homes, children are allowed to dictate the terms of obedience. Through temper tantrums, angry attitudes, disrespect, whining, and manipulative techniques children turn the tables making their parents obedient to them.

And yet, it is reasonable for children to be obedient to their parents:

• Parents are better positioned (job, finances) to provide for their children’s needs.
• Parents are better equipped physically to care for their children.
• Parents are smarter (at least for a while).
• Parents are more experienced in life.

Aside from simple reasoning we must understand that God designed the home and assigned parents authority over their children.

When God’s authority structure is followed children learn how to respect authority (another of God’s expectations). But of utmost importance, children learn to honor God’s authority.

Why is disobedience to parents sinful?

When children are disobedient to their parents they have taken authority away from their parents. Both children and parents are living a lie against reality. By not upholding God’s authority structure in the home they have disregard God and His divine authority.

Mark Stinnett

March 19, 2023