Your parents are your watchmen, not your wardens. They’re Your Watchmen Against Evil
- OPENING HOOK
Story: The Security Guard
Imagine you’re 14 and your dad won’t let you go to a party at 2am. You’re angry. ‘He doesn’t trust me! He’s ruining my life!’
Then 2 weeks later you hear 3 people from that party ended up in the hospital. Suddenly that ‘mean’ rule looks like protection.
Your parents aren’t trying to kill your fun. They’re trying to keep you alive.
Your parents are not your enemies. They are God-appointed watchmen standing between you and things you’re not ready to fight yet.
- A WATCHMAN’S JOB IS TO WARN
Truth: Watchmen don’t stand on the wall to annoy the city. They stand there because they see danger coming first.
Story: The Curfew
A curfew feels like prison. But a watchman on a wall at night doesn’t yell “come inside” because he hates you. He yells because he sees armed men in the dark that you can’t see yet.
Ezekiel 33:6 – “If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet… I will hold the watchman accountable.”
God will hold your parents accountable for you. That’s why they’re serious.
That “annoying” question “Where are you going? Who will be there?” is a trumpet. It’s not interrogation. It’s protection.
- THE ENEMY IS REAL, AND YOU’RE NOT READY FOR EVERY BATTLE
Truth: The enemy isn’t your mom or your dad. The enemy is what wants to destroy you before you become who God made you to be.
3 Things Parents Are Protecting You From:
- Premature Exposure- Porn, drugs, wrong relationships. Your brain and heart aren’t wired for it yet. If you are exposed to it, it will shape you wrongly and hurt your destiny and your future, sometimes irrecoverably.
- Bad Company – Proverbs 13:20. “Walk with the wise and become wise.” Parents see character you can’t see yet.
- Regret – Some doors, once opened, you can’t close. Pregnancy, debt, negative addiction, reputation. Parents have seen it.
Story: The Phone
“Why can’t I have Instagram with no rules?” Because a watchman doesn’t let you walk into traffic blindfolded. The internet is a city with no police. Your parents are the police.
- POINT 3: HONOR TURNS PROTECTION INTO BLESSING
Truth: When you fight your watchman, you fight alone. When you honor your watchman, you get wisdom for free.
Scripture: Ephesians 6:2-3 – “Honor your father and mother… that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Honor = “Heavy weight.” Treat their words like they matter.
Story: The Rebellious Son vs The Teachable Son
Two boys. Both told “don’t do business with that man.”
Boy 1: “You don’t know anything.” Loses 2-million-naira 1 year later.
Boy 2: “Dad, help me understand why.” Avoids the trap and later his dad introduces him to the right partner.
Same warning. Different outcome because of honor instead of rebellion.
- CALL TO ACTION
To Parents: Don’t be a dictator. Be a watchman. Explain the “why”. “I’m not saying no to hurt you. I’m saying no to protect you.”
To Teens/Young Adults: Use these 3 questions when a situation arises that makes you feel your parents are controlling:
- Heart Check: _What rule am I fighting right now that might actually be protection?
- Conversation: Instead of lying or sneaking, can I ask: “Mom/Dad, help me understand why this boundary is there?”
- Honor Step: What is one way I can honor my parents this week even if I disagree? A conversation, not a fight.
My admonition:
“Before you call them ‘toxic’ or ‘old school’, ask: ‘What danger are they seeing that I’m not?’
Your parents love you too much to be quiet while the enemy is at the gate. They’re not your enemies. They’re your watchmen.
Prayer:
“God, give teenagers and young adults eyes to see protection, not prison. Give parents wisdom to lead with love, not just rules. Heal homes. In Jesus name.”