"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12
It is one of the problems in young Christians' lives that they sometimes find so little sympathetic understanding of the experience into which they have entered at conversion, particularly when a conflict of duties (such as was mentioned in the previous Note) arises. The temptation in such circumstances is to react violently against the parental attitude and preach rather unwisely to them, creating a turmoil that might have been avoided if they had been a little more patient and circumspect. One could go so far as to say that although we are not meant to hide our light under a bushel but rather bear testimony before others, we are far more likely to make an impression on parents by the quality of our lives than by any number of words, however eloquent or persuasive. The thought of young people confidently telling their parents that they are all wrong spiritually (however true it may be in fact) is not a happy one. Converted wives are warned in Scripture (1 Peter 3:1-4) not to preach at their unconverted husbands; 'they may be won over', says the Apostle, 'without a word being said' (NEB). This is just as applicable in the young people/parents situation and should be noted with great care.
This commandment is, as Paul says, the first commandment with promise (Ephesians 6:2, 3). Prosperity, then, and long life, will come to those who keep it. The converse is also true; those who dishonour their parents prematurely shorten their lives and bring misfortune upon themselves. With this solemn and challenging thought we leave the fifth commandment.