Honoring Parents and Holding to Truth
Proverbs 23:22-25 (ESV):
22 Listen to your father who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy truth, and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
25 Let your father and mother be glad;
let her who bore you rejoice.
Introduction
Proverbs 23:22-25 highlights the wisdom of honoring parents and the importance of holding to God’s truth, presenting a biblical framework for the Christian home. Imagine a young man who, despite his parents’ love and instruction, chooses rebel lion; dishonoring them, rejecting their wisdom, and walking away from biblical truth. At first, he feels free, thinking he has escaped their authority. But over time, his choices lead to ruin; broken relationships, regret, and hardship. The Scripture is clear: “The father of the right eous will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.” (Prov. 23:24). When children honor their parents and hold fast to truth, they bring joy and delight to their families. But rejecting wisdom leads to destruction, not long life; as Proverbs 30:17 warns, “The eye that mocks a father and scorns a mother will be plucked out by the ravens.” Central Truth: Honoring parents isn’t just about respect; it’s about reflecting Christ, who perfectly pleased the Father. When we walk in wisdom and truth, we display gospel faithfulness in a world that despises authority. Today, we will examine two central exhorta tions from Proverbs 23:22-25: Respect Your Parents and Remember Their Faith.
I. Respect Your Parents – By Honoring, Not Despising (Prov. 23:22, 25) This verse calls children to heed the wisdom of their parents, emphasizing both respect and lifelong gratitude for their guidance. The command to “listen” implies attentive obedi ence, not merely hearing but actively embracing godly instruction.
A. Do not despise your parents
The word “despise” in biblical language does not mean hatred, as it often does in modern speech. Instead, it means to belittle, ignore, or deem unimportant. This command warns us against dismissing the wisdom and care of parents, especially in their later years. In biblical thought, rejecting parental wisdom is equivalent to rejecting divine instruction. This is rein
forced by Proverbs 1:8, which states, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.”
This is countercultural, as many societies prize youth and innovation while dismissing the wisdom of past generations. Yet, Scripture calls us to cherish the godly influence of our par-
ents, never taking them for granted.
B. Honor your parents
Proverbs 20:20 states, “He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp will go out in the time of darkness.” The imagery of the lamp extinguish ing represents divine judgment—dishonoring parents is not merely a cultural failing but a spir itual rebellion.
Honoring parents includes:
1. Guarding our speech - Avoiding mockery or criticism, whether verbally or inwardly (Prov. 30:17).
2. Showing gratitude - Recognizing the sacrifices of our parents and valuing their role in shaping us in God’s truth.
3. Submitting to wisdom - Learning from their faithfulness instead of dismissing their con cerns as outdated.
John Calvin writes, “Nothing is more pleasing to God than reverence for those whom He has set over us. The contempt of parental authority is the source of every kind of disor der.” (Commentary on Exodus 20:12). When we honor our parents, we ultimately honor God, reflecting the humility and obedience seen in Christ Himself.
II. Remember Your Parents’ Faith – By Pursuing and Preserving God’s Truth (Prov. 23:23-24)
Proverbs 23:23 commands, “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” The imagery of buying truth conveys deliberate pursuit and commitment— truth is not passively received but actively sought. The Hebrew verb (buy/acquire) implies in tentional effort, signifying that wisdom is costly but invaluable.
The phrase “do not sell it” warns against compromise or abandonment. In biblical thought, truth is not a commodity to be traded for convenience but a covenantal treasure to be guard ed. This aligns with Christ’s teaching in Matthew 13:44, where the kingdom of heaven is lik ened to a treasure worth sacrificing all else to obtain.
A. By “Buying” the Truth
The idea of buying truth signifies valuing God’s Word above all else. Parents must instill in their children the supreme worth of Christ and His wisdom, ensuring that truth is not merely known but treasured. This is the essence of Christian parenting, not merely preparing children for worldly success but nurturing a hunger for the gospel. A child who treasures God’s truth will:
• Walk in wisdom (Prov. 23:24)
• Bring joy to godly parents (Prov. 23:25)
Illustration: The Decline of Biblical Engagement: Recent Barna research reveals a dramatic decline in biblical literacy. Over the past 40 years, the percentage of American adults holding
a biblical worldview has dropped from 12% to just 4%, with younger genera tions increasingly rejecting absolute truth. This decline has led to moral rela tivism, where many accept lying, abortion, and sexual immorality as morally acceptable. The consequences are evident; without biblical truth, society drifts into confusion and spiritual darkness.
John Owen warns: “If the Word does not dwell with power in us, it will not pass with pow er from us.”
B. By Not Selling the Truth
The Hebrew verb (sell) conveys the idea of exchanging something valuable for something lesser. In biblical thought, selling truth means forsaking God’s wisdom for temporary bene fits, whether for social acceptance, financial security, or cultural relevance. This aligns with Jesus’ warning in Matthew 16:26: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”
1. The Consequences of Compromise
Compromising biblical truth leads to spiritual instability, moral corruption, and soci etal decay. Barna research reveals that only 4% of American adults hold a biblical worldview, with younger generations increasingly rejecting absolute truth. This decline has led to:
• Moral relativism—where truth is subjective, leading to ethical confusion. • Increased anxiety and depression—Harvard research shows that young adults report twice the rates of anxiety and depression as teens, often due to a lack of meaning and purpose.
• Destructive behaviors—CDC data indicates that youth violence, substance abuse, and risky behaviors are linked to rejecting biblical values.
Illustration: The Cost of Selling Truth - Consider a young Christian who compromises bibli cal convictions to fit in socially. Initially, the decision seems harmless—avoiding ridicule, gain ing popularity. However, over time, small compromises lead to greater moral failures, result ing in spiritual drift, broken relationships, and deep regret.
John Calvin warns: “When truth is abandoned, the soul is left without anchor, tossed by every wind of doctrine.”
2. Application: Holding Fast to Truth
Prioritize Scripture—daily study reinforces conviction.
Resist cultural pressure—faithfulness to Christ outweighs worldly approval. Model steadfastness—parents and mentors must exemplify unwavering commitment to truth.
Selling truth leads to spiritual ruin, but holding fast to God’s wisdom brings life, joy, and eternal security. May we treasure truth, reject compromise, and stand firm in Christ’s un changing Word.
Looking to Christ as Our Model and Motivation
1. Christ pleased the Father - “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17). Jesus perfectly honored the Father, demonstrating obedience and love. His life was marked by submission to God's will, show ing that true honor is not merely external but rooted in the heart. As chil dren, when we honor our parents, we ultimately honor God, reflecting Christ's humility and obedience.
2. Christ fulfilled the law, not abolished it - Jesus did not discard God's commands but ful filled them perfectly (Matt. 5:17). The fear of the Lord and reverence for truth cannot be compromised, even in a world that rejects biblical values. Truth remains unchanged despite cultural shifts, and compromise destroys families and faith.
3. Living as Sons and Daughters of the King - When we honor our parents and treasure God's truth, we live as royal children in God's kingdom-princes and princesses acting nobly in a corrupt world. We are called to stand firm, reflecting Christ's righteousness in a generation that prefers moral relativism over biblical conviction.
Illustration: In secular academic settings, biblical faithfulness is often challenged. Yet, groups like Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at Columbia University provide a strong witness in Ivy League schools, equipping students to live biblically in a crooked and perverse generation. These students prioritize Scripture, engage in gospel-centered discussions, and resist cultural pressures to compromise their faith.
3. Application: Holding Fast to Christ
Honor your parents as an act of worship because pleasing them pleases God. Treasure truth above all else and do not sell it for worldly acceptance. Live boldly as children of the King, reflecting Christ's righteousness in a broken world. May we honor our parents, treasure God's truth, walk in the fear of the Lord, and glorify Christ. Soli Deo Gloria!