July 1, 2002, Vol.1, No.11.

Oh, boy, here we go again! Some cranky, old man is going to fuss at the kids and claim the younger generation has gone to the dogs. Well, restaurants give me the "senior citizens" discount without me even asking, but I make a sincere effort to demonstrate joy in all life's circumstances (Philippians 4:4), and a Roman Senator beat me to the punch by over 2000 years in claiming the younger generation has gone kaput. But, listen up, kids, because this bald-headed old guy might have some information you need to learn. 

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,

Do not forsake my law. (Proverbs 4:1-2)

It is a fact that Western Society (Europe and the Americas) worships youth and scorns age. It goes with unbelief. If you don't believe in heaven, who wants to get old and die?

We see the results everywhere. Who ever saw a TV commercial showing you how to look and feel older? Old folks are supposed to drink infant formula (disguised as a chocolate drink) and act like teenagers. Give me a break!

It is also a fact that many believing parents either do not understand that their children should show respect to their elders, or they do not know how to teach them to do this. With some, it is because they were raised by unbelieving parents who did not even believe in the principle of respect for age. Some just weren’t taught by their own believing parents. Some just go along with the world.

Before I go on, let’s establish the biblical principle. "You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19:32) Israelites were commanded to show outward respect for their elders. This was coupled with the fear of God. I think the reason is obvious. Children learn to show respect for God whom they cannot see by first respecting older people whom they can see.

This principle is not confined to the Old Testament.

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud. But gives grace to the humble. (I Peter 5:5)

Yes, this demands submission, but submission is certainly a manifestation of honor of and respect for the one to whom we submit. Yes, it says all are to be submissive to each other. This keeps all, including older folks, from behaving proudly and wanting their own way. But the younger have a special obligation to submit to the elder.

Paul commanded Timothy to exhort older men "as fathers" rather than rebuking them (1 Timothy 5:1). Even when we must confront an older person because of his sins, we should use deferential language.

How do children honor older people? The passages we have already cited tell important ways.

Moses commanded Israelites to "rise before the gray headed." This was to show outward signs of respect. There are marks of respect that are universally recognized, simply because they show we are putting the one we honor ahead of ourselves. To rise when an older person enters the room and offer him your chair, to wait patiently while the adults get their food before filling your own plate, to reply by a "Sir" or Ma’am" to adults (No, this is not just Southern or old fashioned; all soldiers are taught this respectful language), and not to address the older generation simply by their first names are some obvious ways young people honor older people.

In African society young people have a profound respect for their elders. Although this is rooted in pagan ancestor worship, their actions do illustrate what honor for elders includes. In worship, children generally sit on the floor while adults have the chairs (or stools). Children wait until the adults have finished eating before they eat. No, we don't have to go this far, but we could learn a lesson about respect. I will not allow a child to take the best chair or remain seated while an adult stands in my home, nor should you in yours.

The apostle Peter commands the younger to submit to the elder. Young people should listen to older people, and do what they tell them to do, unless the older people tell them to do something wrong (Acts 5:29).

Young women should seek and heed the advice of godly older women on how to be good wives, mothers and homemakers (Titus 2:3-5).

Older people cannot jump like Michael Jordan, and they are not as beautiful as Cindy Crawford. But older Christians have two things far better that they are willing to share with you: knowledge of God’s word from years of study and wisdom in applying that word from years of godly living.

Young people, honor all older people, even the ungodly, because God demands it. But give especial honor to older Christians. Sure, we like it. But more importantly, you will obey God, learn to honor Him and His laws, and benefit from the knowledge and wisdom older people can share.