“Mommy Dearest”

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

I know the Bible tells us to respect our parents.  In my case, it would be my mother.  Ever since I can remember, my mother has always said or done mean things to me.  I am now forty-six, and she still says untruthful things about me to anyone who listens.  I am currently trying to do what is right as a christian.  She has done something recently, and I have come to the conclusion that I need to separate myself from her.  Is it okay to remove myself from her completely?  I have not had peace for many years concerning this issue.  She is always saying, "Honor your mother", but she did not do the same for her mother.  I love my mother and give her as much respect as I possibly can, but now at the age of forty-six, I think I need to remove myself from this situation… which means removing myself from her.  I have been hurt so much by her behavior.  Please advise.

Where in the Bible does it say you must stay with your immediate family even though they are not good for you?

Sincerely,
Wanting To Do What Is Right By My Family

Dear Wanting To Do What Is Right By My Family,

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that you have to stay with your immediate family even if they are bad for you.  The Bible says that Christianity will create division in many families (Matt 10:35-37).  The Bible also says that bad company corrupts good morals (1 Cor 15:33).  The Scriptures are clear that we must honor our parents (Eph 6:2), but honor is not the same as staying in an unhealthy family arrangement.  ‘Honor’ means ‘to esteem highly’.  We honor our parents by treating them respectfully, regardless of their behavior.  As long as you are a minor, you are under the supervision of your parents and must abide by their decisions (Col 3:20).  However, once we reach adulthood (forty-six would count), we must make our own moral decisions and choices (Php 2:12).  Using wisdom (and prayer), you will have to decide what level of closeness and distance is appropriate with your mother.

Share