Topical Bible: Contempt: The Wicked Exhibit Towards: Parents

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In the biblical context, contempt towards parents is a grave sin that reflects a broader rejection of divine authority and order. The Scriptures consistently emphasize the importance of honoring one's parents, and the act of showing contempt towards them is seen as a hallmark of wickedness and rebellion against God's commandments.

Biblical Mandate to Honor Parents

The Bible explicitly commands children to honor their parents, a directive that is foundational to the moral and social order established by God. In Exodus 20:12, the fifth commandment states, "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." This command is reiterated in Deuteronomy 5:16 and is further emphasized in the New Testament in Ephesians 6:2-3, where Paul writes, "Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth."

Contempt as a Mark of the Wicked

Contempt towards parents is depicted in the Bible as a characteristic of the wicked and rebellious. Proverbs 30:17 warns, "As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures eat it." This vivid imagery underscores the severity of the sin and the dire consequences that befall those who exhibit such disdain.

The book of Proverbs frequently contrasts the behavior of the wise and the foolish, with the latter often showing contempt for parental authority. Proverbs 15:20 states, "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother." This verse highlights the moral and spiritual deficiency of those who fail to respect their parents.

Consequences of Contempt

The Bible outlines serious consequences for those who show contempt towards their parents. In the Mosaic Law, the penalty for cursing one's parents was death, as seen in Exodus 21:17: "Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death." This severe punishment reflects the gravity of the offense in the eyes of God and the community.

Furthermore, Proverbs 20:20 declares, "Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness." This metaphorical language indicates that those who dishonor their parents will face spiritual and moral ruin, losing their way in life.

Cultural and Spiritual Implications

In the biblical worldview, the family unit is a microcosm of God's relationship with His people. Parents are seen as God's representatives, entrusted with the responsibility of guiding and nurturing their children. Contempt towards parents, therefore, is not merely a personal failing but a rejection of God's ordained structure for human relationships.

The New Testament reinforces the importance of familial respect and obedience. In Romans 1:30, Paul lists disobedience to parents among the sins of those who have turned away from God, associating it with other forms of wickedness such as slander and arrogance.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide a detailed psychological analysis of why individuals may exhibit contempt towards their parents, it is clear that such behavior is antithetical to the values and principles upheld by Scripture. The call to honor one's parents is not only a command but a reflection of a heart aligned with God's will, and contempt towards them is a sign of a deeper spiritual malaise.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 15:5,20
A fool despises his father's instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ephesians vi. 3-Jan
... When he would lead us away from wicked practices, and ... And now would ye have me exhibit
examples of secular ... was for his hospitality, for his contempt of riches ...
/.../homily xxi ephesians vi 3-jan.htm

The Theory of the Church, and the History of Its Perversion.
... angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among ... and, to dispute his
prerogatives, a contempt of the ... The Novatians in their lives might exhibit much of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter xiii the theory of.htm

Biographical Preface.
... in his own mind, who can exhibit that pre?�minence ... To think of wicked doers and their
works being ... highly esteemed, shall pass away into everlasting contempt. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/biographical preface.htm

Pricked in their Heart
... without mincing the truth"Ye with wicked hands have ... loving Jesus, when finally rejected,
will exhibit a wrath ... your ungrateful acts which show contempt of him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/pricked in their heart.htm

Panegyric on his Brother S. C??sarius.
... I shall proceed then, not only to exhibit the weakness of ... of his kinsmen in distress,
his contempt for arrogance ... a fate to be desired for the wicked, who are ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration vii panegyric on his.htm

Of Civil Government.
... his wisdom to the world, and exhibit the reality ... folly, or cowardice, or cruelty,
or wicked or flagitious ... God is armed, and will signally avenge this contempt. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... name is profaned with vain and wicked abuse, because ... of its dignity it is gradually
brought into contempt. ... equity which men are to cultivate towards each other ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

Who is the Rich Man that Shall be Saved?
... they are willing; and then, in addition, exhibit and teach ... and to despair of life,
and to contempt of God. ... For he turned wicked and abandoned, and at last a ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/who is the rich man.htm

The Persecutions of the Church.
... actually inaugurated, was better fitted to exhibit His glory ... This Prince could not
brook the contempt with which ... is a fire reserved for the wicked, whereof you ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the persecutions of.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... the deceitful lips and tongues of the wicked, for we ... 2956] While thus unyielding
in her contempt for food ... She strives to exhibit at Rome the virtues which ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm