What does the Bible say?
“Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”’ (Ephesians 6:1-3) (NLT)
Honour means not only to obey, but also to love, trust and respect.
When you honour your parents, you have a devine covering over your life through God’s protection. When you lie, disobey, and deceive your parents, you step out of the devine covering they provide. When you are old enough to decide on your own to deceive your parents, then you are old enough to be responsible for your actions. When you step outside your parents covering, you have entered into “the world”, which is the devil’s domain. The world is full of traps. What awaits you there?
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) (NLT)
“You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” (Ephesians 2:2) (NLT)
I believe it is in the nature of each human being to want and need to live. If one accidentally falls into a body of water, they will fight to stay afloat. When somebody starts thinking about taking their own life, I see the influence of the Devil.
This Jesus speaking:
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (Italics added)(John 10:10) (NLT)
There is a spiritual key in Ephesians 6, in the description of the Armour of God.
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil… In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. (Italics added)(Ephesians 6:11, 16) (NLT)
Not all of our thoughts are our own. Some of the thoughts that enter our mind are the “fiery arrows of the devil”. Other thoughts are from the Holy Spirit. Most are our own. You don’t always need the Gift of Discernment to tell the difference. The thoughts from the Holy Spirit will be encouraging and will build you up, and build others up. The devil will be tearing you or others down, telling you how worthless you are, or condemning you, and accusing you.
Teens that come from godly families have been exposed to the realities of God and the enemy, or at least have heard of them. This highlights all the more the importance that they be equipped and trained in the Armour of God, and that they understand the Spiritual battle that is unseen but just as real. It is imperative that our children know that we have the victory in our Lord Jesus.
Teens from worldly families are left unaware and defenseless, except for the prayers of the Saints around them.
When I hear of another teen suicide, I see the Devil’s finger prints… he deceived a teen into believing his lies of their worthlessness, convincing them that the world and their families will be better off without them. Teens are so self-absorbed that they do not conceive of the pain and devastation they will leave behind. Parents never get over the loss of a child… but with God’s help, they survive, and get beyond.
Teens need to be taught about the redemptive work of Christ. They must understand that the Blood of Jesus covers any failure they have experienced. There is no accusation of the devil that cannot be eliminated by the Power in the Blood of Jesus. Teens and adults alike can be clothed in the righteousness of Christ. They will be cleansed and made pure, as white as snow. Teens have a hope… their hope is in the Lord Jesus.
“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) (NLT)
“But if we confess our sins to him (Jesus), he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9) (NLT)
“And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” (Hebrews 8:12) (NLT)
Everybody has choices and decisions to make. Choose Jesus, honour God and your parents, and be Blessed!