Rebellion: A Lack of Relationship

Rebellion, rather it be active resistance or passive indifference, is a reaction generally caused by a lack of relationship. Counselors see again and again how the rebellious child in question is reacting to poor relationships, both between the parents and child, and between the parents themselves. One marriage and family counselor estimates that in as many as 95 percent of cases with a rebellious child, the parents also need marriage counseling. He reports that amazing results in the children’s behavior take place once the parents get their act together.

Imposing rules on a young person will not work if a positive relationship has not been established between him and the one making the rules. The child will rebel against authority since he is not convinced the authority figures have his best interest at heart. To counter the rebellion, parents often lay down even more rules. It becomes a battle with parents and children pitted against each other, rather than working together toward understanding.

The Nature of God

Why do you feel a stab of conscience when you lie to your spouse, parent, child or boss? Because deceit and distrust erode relationships, while honesty and truthfulness bond people together with trust. You feel good about telling the truth and uncomfortable about lying, because truth reflects the nature of God, after whose nature the rules for right are patterned. Truthfulness is loving because it protects you from the pain of damaged relationships that results from duplicity and distrust.

Morality defines the properly functioning person and keeps him or her from clashing with neighbors, thus enabling relationships to flourish. God desires that we live not in lonely isolation but in joyful, satisfying relationships. Morality flows to us from God’s own nature as our guide to maintaining and nurturing these relationships.