"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12).

The Fifth Commandment introduces us to a series of commandments that define proper relationships with other people. Six of the commandments—the fifth through the 10th—serve as the standards of conduct in areas of human behavior that generate the most far-reaching consequences on individuals, families, groups and society.

Our abuse and exploitation of each other is appalling. The intensity and magnitude of the violence among ourselves is inexcusable. We desperately need to reverse the horrifying results of our inability to get along with each other. We need to learn how to work together harmoniously in every area of life—to build stable, loving, lasting relationships.

Any individual or group—including whole nations—that understands the importance of strong families reaps the reward of an improved relationship with and blessings from God.

Establishing the rudimentary principles by which workable relationships can be built is the objective of the last six commandments. They define, with stark clarity, the areas of behavior in which human nature creates the biggest roadblocks to peace and cooperation. They provide us with the guidance we need to remove those roadblocks.

This Fifth Commandment sets the tone for the last six. It addresses the importance of our learning to treat each other with respect and honor.

Learning respect for others

Learning responsibility for our own conduct and character is the beginning of good relationships. Our character, which drives our conduct, begins to form during our childhood. It is during our formative years that our attitudes governing our personal desires in relation to the desires and needs of others is shaped and molded. That is the primary focus of the Fifth Commandment—the importance of learning to respect others while we are still children.

The Fifth Commandment shows us from whom and how the fundamentals of respect and honor are most effectively learned. It guides us to know how to yield to others, how to properly submit to authority and how to accept the influence of mentors. That is why the apostle Paul wrote: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth’” (Ephesians 6:2-3).

Learning to obey this commandment helps children establish a lifetime pattern of respecting proper rules, traditions, principles and laws. Honoring others should be a normal, natural habit learned during youth.

The universal application of this important biblical principle is plain. We read: “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17). And it all begins with the respect and honor we show our parents.

The role of a parent

God places the primary responsibility for teaching children the basic principles of life directly on the shoulders of parents. The ability of mothers and fathers to succeed in this responsibility depends significantly on how much they, in turn, submit to God’s instruction and teaching and show love and respect for Him. Remember, four commandments that emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with God precede the commandment to give honor to our parents. After all, God is our ultimate Parent.

Notice how God challenged the spiritual leaders of ancient Israel: “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?” (Malachi 1:6). As our Creator, God is the Father of us all.

In that sense, we should recognize that the Fifth Commandment forms a “bridge” of sorts between the first four of the Ten Commandments (concerning our relationship with God) and the last six (concerning our relationship with fellow human beings).

We who are parents should first think of ourselves as children—the children of God. It is just as important for us to respect and obey our Heavenly Father as it is for our children to respect and obey us. Only then is it possible for us to fully grasp our role as the spiritual leaders of our children.

When we first honor and obey God, we set the proper example for our children. They can then develop habits of respect and obedience by observing our example and applying what they are taught. Children internalize beliefs and behaviors best if they see a strong continuity between the example and the instruction of their parents and teachers.

The missing link in child rearing

God’s instruction to parents makes this clear: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7). The implication is clear: Only when we hold right principles in our hearts can we, as parents, successfully instill them in our children.

Throughout the Bible, especially in the book of Proverbs, we find many instructions and principles about how we should treat and honor each other. We should regularly discuss these in our families and apply them to the real-life situations our children face every day. These discussions should be interactive—allowing the children to freely ask questions that we as parents should help them resolve, using biblical principles, as thoroughly and accurately as possible (Deuteronomy 6:20-21).

It is by treating children with dignity and respect in an interactive process that they learn how they should treat others and why their attitudes and behavior should reflect love and concern for them. Parents who assist their children in searching God’s Word to verify the foundation of the family’s values are teaching them how to rely on God’s judgment instead of trusting their own emotions, whims and desires.

Children, especially teenagers, search for their own place in society. They need guidance and instruction as well as love and reassurance. Parents should not ridicule them. Paul cautions parents, especially fathers, not to “provoke [exasperate (NIV)] your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Parents need to carefully combine a firm insistence that their children obey the rules of courtesy and respect with an abundance of patience and gentleness. This loving combination is the missing link in child rearing.

Helping children establish their identity

Children need constant encouragement and frequent acknowledgment of their successes and achievements. Above all, they need plenty of love and praise to help them develop a strong personal identity that reflects a positive and hopeful outlook toward life.

Keep in mind that children do not all respond to different types of praise in the same way. Some can better develop a positive outlook when praise focuses on them—on their abilities and areas of competence—rather than on individual achievements. Praise focused heavily on accomplishments only, such as grades in school, may engender an unhealthy sense of insecurity. Some may perceive that they are acceptable only if they perform exceptionally—that they are loved only when their efforts are perfect. This type of praise may have the opposite effect from what was intended.

As parents, we should rejoice with our children in their achievements. We should share their successes. But we should be careful to direct our praise specifically toward them as individuals. We should tell them when we are pleased with them. This bolsters their confidence that it is possible for them to please us and God. They perceive themselves as being acceptable and appreciated. It gives them hope in their future and assurance in their own identity. They are then far more likely to have confidence in us as parents and return to us the praise and honor that fulfills the Fifth Commandment. It is their beginning of a proper and positive relationship with the rest of humanity and ultimately with God.

Honoring our parents as adults

Honoring our parents doesn’t cease when we become adults. It is a lifetime commitment. We should still respect their wisdom, consult with them and welcome their continued involvement in our lives—spending time with them and doing our best to keep in touch with them. As they get older, our honoring of them may include physically caring for them and, as necessary, helping to financially support them.

Jesus criticized those in His day who neglected making appropriate provisions for the care of their elderly parents. “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down” (Mark 7:9-13, NIV).

Honoring grandparents

We and our children should be sure we do not neglect honoring our grandparents. They have contributed significantly to our lives, and most grandparents cherish their grandchildren.

We should find opportunities to spend time listening to and asking questions of our grandparents. Conversations with them are like treasures because they help us better understand and appreciate our origins. Most grandparents love their grandchildren and want them to show an interest in them. Children who honor and love their grandparents broaden their understanding of people and life.

Reaping the benefits

When Moses reviewed the Ten Commandments with the people of Israel, he commented on another blessing, in addition to long life, for keeping the Fifth Commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Deuteronomy 5:16).

We, the children, are the beneficiaries when we honor our parents. This is the commandment with the wonderful promise that life will go better for us if we simply obey it.

Families are the building blocks of societies. Strong families build strong societies and nations. When families are fractured and flawed, the sad results are tragic and reflected in newspaper headlines every day. Any individual or group—including whole nations—that understands the importance of strong families reaps the reward of an improved relationship with and blessings from God!