This is a difficult question because I don’t know anything about you. For instance: How old are you? Do you live with your parents? Are you married?

HOW OLD ARE YOU? – Ephesians 6:1 says, “Children, obey your parents IN THE LORD: for this is right.” Let’s compare that with Colossians 3:20 which says, “Children, obey your parents IN ALL THINGS: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” If you are a young child, then the Lord wants you to obey your parents IN ALL THINGS. If you are an older child with maturity and knowledge in the Word, then the Lord expects you to obey your parents IN THE LORD. We can see here that the instruction to obey includes all things that are not contrary to the Word of God. If you can understand your Bible, and clearly see that what your parents are teaching you (or are exposing you to) is not scriptural, then you are not biblically obligated to obey them in that matter. However, they are still your parents and deserve your respect, so speak to them respectfully. Since there are scriptural differences between what you believe and what they believe, be prepared to defend your position with patience and love. As 1 Peter 3:15 tells us, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and BE READY ALWAYS TO GIVE AN ANSWER to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

DO YOU LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS? – Perhaps you are older, out of High School, perhaps in college. Maybe it is a requirement of your parents that as long as you live with them, or are supported by them, then you must go to the same place of worship as they do. You will have a choice to make. You can abide by your spiritual convictions and face the consequences, OR you may choose to continue to go with them until you are ready to live on your own. That will be a decision that you will have to make. Hopefully, your parents will recognize your maturity and allow you to go where you feel like you need to be. I suggest you talk with them, face to face as adults, and see if they will respect your decision.

ARE YOU MARRIED? – If you are married with a family of your own, then the influence of your parents should be slight. In the institution of marriage, the Lord said to Adam and Eve, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24). The husband and wife become one unit, with the husband leaving the old relationship of being under his mother and father’s care and instruction. Now, the husband and wife must determine how the Lord is leading them in His Word, and be obedient to Him.

Before we close, let’s look at Ephesians 6:2, “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise.)” According to Ephesians 6:1, a child is supposed to obey his mother and father. When we become adults, we are no longer under the authority of our parents. However, they are still our parents and deserve our respect. So, if you talk to your parents about your decision, be respectful to them. They may not be able to control your actions any longer, but they still deserve honor from the ones they spent years raising and developing. Be patient. Be loving. Show respect. When you do that, you may be able to influence your parents in their spiritual walk. (297.8)