4. How does he or she respond to authority?
A fairly consistent indicator of maturity in a young adult can be seen in how he or she relates to authority figures. While adolescents may be hard-wired to question authority, a potential boyfriend who has a pattern of rebellion should be a clear warning sign for your daughter to stay away. Paul makes it clear in Romans 3:2 that “whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. “
The key here is to examine attitudes, not just behaviors. Parents should train their kids to see the significance of how their peers respond to the authority of parents, teachers, and other adults in their lives. Specifically, parents should teach their kids that how a person submits to authority will reveal a great deal about how they will honor God and honor you in a long term relationship.
