Whether we admit it or not, a great number of us are a lot like our parents. We may look like one or both of them in our outward appearance. We may have developed, perhaps unknowingly, their mannerisms or habits. Our personality may strongly resemble one of our parents. And, there is no doubt about it, in many cases our behavior reminds others of how our father and mother act or acted.

Notice to parents: Like it or not, our children will grow up to be like us in many aspects. Because that is the case, should we not strive to be a good example or model for them to imitate?

Notice to children (this would include all people that have had parents, which is all of us): It is an unbiblical, unwise, and unsafe course of action to decide to follow blindly what our parents do or have practiced in the spiritual realm. To say, "In my religious affairs, I am going to be just like mommy and daddy," may not be a story with a happy ending! You see, if we blindly follow the blind, we will all end up in the ditch. Jesus said so (Matthew 15:14).

Before considering further the idea of blindly following one’s parents, consider a similar scenario. Some have the notion that when a woman marries, she should automatically take on or follow the religion of her husband, regardless of what that religion might be. This is often practiced by oriental women. Some in Southeast Asia become Buddhists just because their husbands are. Others become Catholics just because their husbands are. They feel that it is their duty to do so. Such a concept exists in the minds of some people in the U.S. as well. Not that long ago someone was telling us the sad history about a sister in the Lord that left the church because the man that she married is a denominational member.

Here is a question that deserves serious consideration: where in the New Testament do we ever read that Jesus in any way instructs people to follow the religion of their spouse or parents, regardless of what that religion might be? Good people, there is no such teaching in the Bible! It is a false idea that has come from the imagination of men’s minds.

But doesn’t the Bible say that children should obey their parents? Yes, it does (Ephesians 6:1,2). And doesn’t the Bible say that wives should submit to or obey their husbands? Right again (Ephesians 5:22,24). However, the Bible also teaches, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). When man’s instructions, practices, and demands are not in harmony with the Lord’s message that is revealed in the Bible, then we must refuse such man-made religion and stick with what God says in the Bible, always.

Have you ever had the experience of discussing the Bible with someone, and that person says that he/she grew up in a certain denomination, and that is what he/she will always be, that is, will always attend that "church," just because that is where his/her parents and grandparents attended? If you have had such an experience, then you know that this can be a very emotional topic with some people. It is also a serious hurdle for many to overcome. We would ask our same old question: Where in the New Testament is it written that we should blindly follow the religious path of mommy and daddy or other family members? There is no such teaching. This notion is one that many have accepted, but it is not biblical! It is wrong. It is from the devil.

At some point in a discussion that concerns sticking with mommy and daddy’s religious teaching and practices, it would be good to point out a couple of Bible examples that show that God is not always pleased when people follow the religious path of their family members. [Note that we said that it is "not always" pleasing to Him, because, obviously, there are many instances, thank God, in which both parents and children are faithful members of the Lord’s church, though none are faithful members of the church just because some other family members are].

One helpful verse in this regard is 2 Chronicles 30:7, where it is written, "And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers." Who made that statement? King Hezekiah of Judah (30:1-6). To whom was this statement made? To the children of Israel. So, here is an instance where the specific message was what? Do not be like your fathers, and do not be like your brothers. Why? Because they sinned against God. For these Israelites to follow the course of action of their family members, past or present, would cause them to live in sin. This case shows that it is not always right to go along and be just like mom and dad or other family members in the realm of spiritual affairs.

In addition, there is the New Testament example of Saul of Tarsus. Before he became a follower of the Christ, what was he doing? He was following the religion of his Jewish parents. Saul (Paul) himself said that he was formerly "in the Jews’ religion," and at that time he was exceedingly zealous of the traditions of his fathers (Galatians 1:13,14). So, Paul was following his family’s course of action. Here is the crucial question: Was he saved at that time? That is, before he became a Christian, was he in good standing with God simply because he followed the religion of his parents? Not according to the Bible. Before Paul became a Christian, God through His servant commanded him, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). So, Paul was still a lost man even though he followed the way of his family.

As hard as it is for some people to accept, the truth is, if we want to please the Lord Jesus, then we must continue in His word, not in the ways of our parents. It is God’s truth that can make us free (John 8:32), not blind allegiance to the religion of our family. Would to God that all of our family members, from the least to the greatest, would become members of the church of the Christ and remain His faithful servants all the days of their earthly sojourning. However, if they refuse to do that, then we must not allow ourselves to cave in to pressure or emotional pull and follow their course that, because it is not in harmony with God’s Book, can only lead to perdition. Let us be committed to Jesus and love Him above all others (Matthew 10:37,38)!

We cannot change the genes that we received from our parents. If we happen to look like one or both of them, then so be it. If we have adopted some of their personal mannerisms in carrying out the most mundane daily affairs of life, then we may have a difficult time changing those. But, brothers and sisters, if we are tempted to say, "Even in my service to the Lord, I want to be just like Mommy and Daddy," we better think again. Jesus saves, not parents (Acts 4:12). Jesus’ word will one day judge us (John 12:48), not the words of our parents.