Continuing off our previous post on Impressing Forever Values, we are addressing the next six freedoms God gives us as we learn to relate to others.
Freedom #5
Honor your father and your mother . . .
Exodus 20:12 [NIV]
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Ephesians 6:1-3 [NIV]
God’s desire for us is to have healthy relationships. Living under authority frees us to live in an ordered society. As we show honor to the authorities in our lives (parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, bosses), we are teach respect and gratitude.
Freedom #6
You shall not murder.
Exodus 20:13 [NIV]
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.
Matthew 5:22 [NIV]
An underlying theme that can be drawn from these verses is: You are valuable. People have value, and we are designed to live with the freedom and security of knowing that our lives are precious and to be protected. The practical side of this is that we need to control our anger in an appropriate way by:
- Separating “being” from “behavior”
- Showing mercy and justice
- Protecting siblings from each other
- Watching our own temper
- Learning appropriate anger management
- Teaching appropriate anger at injustice.
Our society has laws and our anger needs to be under God’s control as we recognize that all people have value.
Freedom #7
You shall not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:14 [NIV]
Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:28 [NIV]
Keep your promises. When we do, we live our life commitment without the fear of competition or comparison. We can freely trust one another and know that even when disagreements happen, we are committed to work it though. When marriage commitments are honored, we are telling our spouse that faithfulness matters.
Freedom #8
You shall not steal.
Exodus 20:15 [NIV]
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Ephesians 4:28 [NIV]
In these verses, God speaks to the freedom of enjoying what we have without guilt and being free to give. This idea reinforces the work ethic. We can model value and work by:
- Giving allowance
- Teaching how to spend and trade
- Allowing for ownership
- Teaching about giving to others in need
- Paying back if your child steals
- Not taking what does not belong to us
- Learning to return, replace, and/or restore
Freedom #9
You shall not give false testimony . . .
Exodus 20:16 [NIV]
Men will give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
Matthew 12:36 [NIV]
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Ephesians 4:25 [NIV]
God gives us a beautiful freedom to have honest and trusting relationships. When we speak honestly to one another, we build faith in each other. While outright lying is easy to identify, gossip and selective omission are more subversive. Praise your child for telling the truth under pressure (even when consequences for poor choices are necessary).
Freedom #10
You shall not covet . . .
Exodus 20:17 [NIV]
Be on your guard against all kinds of greed…
Luke 12:15 [NIV]
. . . for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [Philippians 4:11b]
Philippians 4:11b [NIV]
We have the freedom of contentment when we are thankful for what we have and are willing to work for what we want. Envy robs us of our joy, but contentment gives us a new set of lenses to see through. How can we express more daily contentment?
- Express gratitude for what you have
- Give sincere thank-yous
- Choose to change your focus on others
- Pray that God will meet your basic needs
- Deal with your resentment
- Ask for what you do not have
We can make a lasting impression with our Forever Values when we KNOW, LIVE, and TEACH the values of God. When we parent with values, we raise children with values.