• Al's Online Store • 45 Day Bible Study • Answers to 34 Tough Questions

Choose the Topic you would like Al to Address: Choose a Topic Below... Love Sex Pregnancy Loneliness Priorities Too Busy Insecurity Material things Rejection Anger Forgiveness Suicide a Sin Witness God's Will Ministry Satanism Security Death Salvation? I feel suicidal Bad Language Drugs/Alcohol Addiction Gossiping and/or Lying Guilt Trust Smoking or Dipping? Abortion Occult Suffering My parents hate me Rebelling Obedience Sharing Jesus with Parents Divorce Question 31. I've been rebelling against my parents. How do I make it right? Three cheers for you! You have shown an amazing amount of maturity. You have faced your problem and accepted the responsibility for it - that's great!! The first thing you must do is understand the seriousness of the sin of rebellion. You've sinned not only against your parents, but against God. The Bible says that "rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft" (1 Samuel 15:23). THAT'S SERIOUS! It also says children are to "obey and honor their parents" (Ephesians 6:1-3). THAT'S GOD'S COMMAND, NOT HIS SUGGESTION. You need to first confess your sin to God. That means agree with him it is sin. First John 1:9 says when we do that as Christians, it activates the forgiveness that is already ours. The verse goes on to say that when we confess our sin to God, he is faithful to purify us from all our unrighteousness (sin). Forgiveness is like a box of detergent that Jesus bought for you when you made a commitment to him. Repentance and confession are like the water that "activates" that detergent and cleanses you when you sin. The forgiveness was bought by Jesus for you and the box will never run out. You just need know how to use it. The next thing you must do is ask your parents to forgive you. You need to be specific, humble, and sincere. They may or may not respond to you properly (see Question #7) -- that does not matter. You do the right thing, and let God deal with your parents. The last thing you need to do is begin to make the changes in your life to live a life of obedience. Talk is cheap. What your parents want is to see you walk your talk. They do not expect perfection, but they do want to see if you are sincere. Make yourself accountable to a mature Christian. This kind of person can help you see areas in your life that need work and give you steps to follow. Commit your relationship with your parents to the Lord everyday. Ask him to help you understand them better and show you how to honor them. 1 SAMUEL 15:23 "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king." EPHESIANS 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 1 JOHN 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.