The Importance of Relating
Living Long – Part 2

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 5:17-22

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 5:16

“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

As we continue our study from yesterday, the question that probably came to your mind is: Why?  Why should we continue to try to relate to our relations?  If they are causing us trouble, why not close the door and walk away?  Let’s look at some complicated issues.

            Christ followers may need to draw some firm boundaries around themselves.  If your relatives are being too intrusive —causing conflicts —  it’s not sinful to set up boundaries and demand they honor them.  In some extreme cases, this may mean that you never or seldom allow them in your life.  However, before going to that point, we need to consider God’s Word.

            The scripture we’ve looked at today and yesterday is the command to honor our father and mother.  I don’t think it is unbiblical to broaden that to say God teaches us to honor all our relationships.  Let’s be careful how we define “honor.”  It does not mean that I allow my relatives to destroy my life.  Webster tells us that to honor is to sense what is right; a mark of respect.  In applying that definition to our relatives, we carefully pray for wisdom to determine what is right — always wanting to be respectful.              If we follow this principle, God’s promise is that He will grant us a long and blessed life. 

Father, I pray for your wisdom and strength as I create the boundaries needed in dealing with my relatives.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.