Honoring the dishonorable?

[BrianEdwards]

I know I should honor father and mother, but what if they have schizophrenia and are making others suffer because they refuse treatment?

Does the Bible have a passage that can account for when someone you should honor acts unhonorably?

 

[Didymus]

I interpert this commandment to mean that we are to show respect to our parents even if we don t approve of what they do. That means care for them if neccesary and be courteous. your parents' problems make it hard to do this but that is how you show them God s love
How old are you and your parents ?

 

[JohnR7]

>>Does the Bible have a passage that can account for when someone you should honor acts unhonorably?

Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

If a person is saved, and their mother or father are not saved, then for the sake of the cross their enemy is their own family. We are still to honor them, but we must always put God first in our life to follow His will, plan and purpose for us. We can not let our mother or our father get in our way of serving or following God.

The problem is, if they are not saved, then their father is satan. We can not allow Satan to attack us though them. Often the pastor in my church instructs people to stay away from any unsaved family members. It is just not worth the grief and heartache to go around them. Save yourself the problems you will have if you go to visit them. Why allow them the opportunity to drag you down. Thanks, JohnR7

 

[Didymus]

I disagree with not having contact with unsaved family. How iwll this win them to Christ ? This is one of the more subtle doctrines of the Mormans which i am sadly finding out. I do not see see Jesus ignoring His brothers although they were pretty nasty to Him.
I do agree that God must come first but family is important to Him too.

 

[amie]

Hi Brian,
I want you to know that I am praying for you on this. I disagree with a previous poster in saying that your family is your enemy, if they are not saved...I believe we are all put here for a specific purpose. everything happens for reasons that we may not yet understand. It is no accident that I am sitting here typing to you. I am praying for your parents...Mental illness is such a disheartening thing, and more often than not, the people that are afflicted, do not recognize the potential danger of their disease. I do hope and pray that God may intervene and help will be given to them. I commend you for your prayers and I will also pray that people will not suffer at the hands of somebody who is schizophrenic...mental illness, schizophrenia, depression, bi-polar, has an immense amount of treatment available now. It is no weakness, no character flaw, but a ver real chemical problem in the brain. Many who have suffered have gone on to do great and glorious things...I am praying for and with you on this my friend! If you ever need to talk, I am just a click away! Lots of love and blessings to you!
Amie

 

[BrianEdwards]

My mother's attitude is that we (my brother and I) have a psychological problem. We do have our issues, but they are caused by the countless years of mental abuse she spouts. She is quick to provide outside counseling for us, but refuses to get any for herself. The few times she's gone, she goes with the idea to "fix" us, not herself. She throws a false wall up and tries to keep the focus on us. When Doctor's recognize this and say that she needs help, she falls into self-denial, doesn't listen to them, and discontinues treatment.

As for having Satan as a father, she quotes Bible verses to us all the time. (many are not applicable and misinterpretted non-sequitors, she is, after all, mentally disturbed) so she truly believes God is on "her side"... (I try not to make this a case of "I'm right; you're wrong") She has effectively dissolved our relationship with our outside family, probably because of the bible verse quoted above.

If she is God's instrument, I don't think I can keep my what little faith I have for very much longer.

 

[amie]

Hi Brian,
It is most often easier to blame others for a condition that we ourseles have within us. It is just a psychological coping mechanism on her part...and that is how she is coping right now, it must be hard to admit to having a mental disorder. I am praying for you, your brother and your mom! with love and blessings to you!
Amie