How To Treat Family Members

How To Treat Family Members ()

Family Series
Speaker: Peter Tan-chi Date: June 26, 2011

Download Links: Video 4Ws Audio

It is in the home that we learn how to treat others. The way a person treats his or her family affects how he or she treats other people. Therefore, parents are responsible in training their children on how they should treat family members. Matthew 7:12 says, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

How do you treat your family properly? Here are five ways to apply this principle.

Be Respectful. In order to be respectful you cannot be moody. This means you have to keep your emotions in control. Use kind words, words that can build up a person. As parents, you have to respect your children even though they are subject under your authority. Respect them so they will learn to respect others.

Be Forgiving. Conflicts are inevitable but in Ephesians 4:32, it says, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Those who have experienced God’s forgiveness through the redemptive power of the blood of Christ ought to forgive as they have been forgiven. Jesus says to even forgive your brother “seventy times seven”. Kindness is the evidence of forgiveness. You cannot afford to be kind if you have not forgiven. Parents are responsible for creating an environment of joy, forgiveness and acceptance in the home instead of tension and anger.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, “But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” He says that the devil has so many schemes up his sleeves and unforgiveness is one of them. Therefore we must forgive so the devil may not gain a foothold in our lives.

Be Givers, Not Takers. By nature we are selfish. We think that we’re entitled to many things. But the Bible says: “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4) As parents, you should train your children to learn how to appreciate the blessings they have so that they will be givers and not takers. Allow them to see the realities of life and give them opportunities to serve others.

Be Accountable. The Bible tells us, “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27: 5-6) Practice honesty and transparency at home. Do not avoid discussions by raising your voice or by crying. Be humble enough to listen and then clarify your position. If you are wrong, learn to admit your mistakes and ask for forgiveness.

Be a Dream Releaser. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Allow your children to be stretched. Give them wings to fly. Put courage in the lives of your children, as most of them are afraid to fail and lack confidence. Your role is to build in courage by pointing them towards Jesus. In the same way, for young people be dream releasers to your parents also. It is never too late to tell your parents what they can become, too.