My Rights: What My Dad Taught Me That Seems To Be Missing Today

A father in a work jacket holding his young son's hand as they cross a small-town street, waving thanks to the driver of an old pickup truck that has stopped for them

Growing up, my dad didn’t give long lectures. Instead, he dropped these short truths that worked their way into your bones... truths that only make sense after life knocks you around a bit.

One of those truths has stayed with me more than any other:

"Just because I have rights does not mean I have to exercise them."

In today’s culture, everybody insists on their rights at full volume. But Scripture... and especially the life of Jesus... teaches something different. Strength often shows itself not in demanding what we’re owed, but in choosing humility, restraint, and honor.

Everyday Clues That This Lesson Is Fading

You can feel it everywhere around us.

Crosswalks

Pedestrians do have the right of way. That’s true. But that doesn’t mean stepping blindly into the road or strolling across the street like it’s a casual walk in the park. A quickened step, a smile, maybe a little wave that says "Thanks"... it reminds everyone that we’re still human.

One day you might be the driver wishing for that same courtesy.

Waiting in Line

Yes, you were there first. Yes, you have every right to hold your spot. But letting someone go ahead because they only have a few items... what an easy way to say "I see you, and you matter because God made you too."

Small acts of humility go further than we think.

Saying “Thank You”

I can’t count the number of times I’ve said “thanks” to a store employee only to get a blank stare or silence. When did “you’re welcome” become optional? When did acknowledging each other become outdated?

These small moments reveal something deeper...
We’re living in a culture fluent in entitlement but illiterate in humility.

What Scripture Shows Us About Rights

Abraham

Abraham had the right to choose the best land, but he told Lot...

“Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us... The whole countryside is open to you.”
(Genesis 13:8–9, NLT)

Abraham surrendered his rights for the sake of peace.

Joseph

Joseph had the right to punish his brothers, but he said...

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.”
(Genesis 50:20, NLT)

He chose mercy over vengeance.

David

David had the right to strike down Saul in self-defense. Twice. Yet David said...

“The Lord forbid that I should do this.”
(1 Samuel 24:6, NLT)

He chose restraint even when justice seemed justified.

Again and again, Scripture reminds us...
Rights are real, but they are not ultimate.

Jesus: The One Who Surrendered His Rights for Us

Jesus had more rights than any person who ever lived.

He had the right to defend Himself... but He stayed silent.
He had the right to summon angels... but He chose the cross.
He had the right to rule... but He came to serve.

“Though he was God... he gave up his divine privileges.”
(Philippians 2:6–7, NLT)

“He did not retaliate when he was insulted... He left his case in the hands of God.”
(1 Peter 2:23, NLT)

Jesus didn’t lay down His rights because He was weak...
He laid them down because He was strong enough not to cling to them.

What Jesus Actually Taught About Rights

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said things that strike at the root of entitlement:

“If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other...”
(Matthew 5:39, NLT)

“If you are sued for your shirt, give your coat, too...”
(Matthew 5:40, NLT)

“If a soldier forces you to carry his gear for one mile, carry it two...”
(Matthew 5:41, NLT)

These aren’t instructions to be passive...
They are invitations to be like Christ...
Men who are no longer controlled by pride or entitlement.

Paul: A Free Man Who Chose the Lower Place

Paul understood his rights and used them at times. Yet he wrote...

“We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News...”
(1 Corinthians 9:12, NLT)

“I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 9:19, NLT)

“I am allowed to do anything... but not everything is good for you.”
(1 Corinthians 10:23, NLT)

Paul’s message is simple...
Love outranks rights.
Humility outshines entitlement.
The mission matters more than the moment.

What My Dad Actually Taught Me

Dad wasn’t telling me to be weak.
He wasn’t telling me to let people push me around.
He wasn’t telling me to pretend I don’t have rights.

He was teaching me self-control...
a mark of true strength...
a trait our culture desperately needs to recover.

He was teaching me the way of Jesus.

The Takeaway

Let this settle deep into your heart...

"Just because I have rights does not mean I have to exercise them."

In a world obsessed with demanding, asserting, and defending at all costs...
You can choose something better.

You can choose the way of Jesus.
You can choose humility over entitlement.
You can choose strength over pride.
You can choose to be a different kind of man.

A kingdom man.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "just because I have rights does not mean I have to exercise them" mean?

It is one of the short truths the author's dad taught him. Rights are real, but a man can choose not to demand them. Strength often shows itself not in demanding what we are owed, but in choosing humility, restraint, and honor.

Does the Bible say Christians should give up their rights?

Scripture shows godly men laying down rights they really had. Abraham let Lot choose the land for the sake of peace (Genesis 13:8-9), Joseph chose mercy over vengeance when he told his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good" (Genesis 50:20, NLT), and David refused to strike down Saul (1 Samuel 24:6). Rights are real, but they are not ultimate.

How did Jesus give up His rights?

Jesus had the right to defend Himself, to summon angels, and to rule, yet He stayed silent, chose the cross, and came to serve. Paul writes that "he gave up his divine privileges" (Philippians 2:6-7, NLT), and Peter says "He left his case in the hands of God" (1 Peter 2:23, NLT). He did not lay down His rights because He was weak, but because He was strong enough not to cling to them.

What does turning the other cheek mean for a Christian man?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught offering the other cheek, giving your coat too, and carrying a soldier's gear a second mile (Matthew 5:39-41). These are not instructions to be passive. They are invitations to be like Christ, men who are no longer controlled by pride or entitlement.

What did Paul teach about Christian rights?

Paul understood his rights and used them at times, yet he wrote that he would "rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News" (1 Corinthians 9:12, NLT). He also wrote, "I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:19, NLT). His message is simple: love outranks rights, humility outshines entitlement, and the mission matters more than the moment.

Is choosing not to demand your rights a sign of weakness?

No. The author's dad was not telling him to be weak, to let people push him around, or to pretend he has no rights. He was teaching self-control, a mark of true strength and a trait our culture desperately needs to recover. He was teaching the way of Jesus.

What are everyday ways to lay down your rights?

Pedestrians have the right of way, but a quickened step and a little wave of thanks reminds everyone we are still human. You may have every right to hold your spot in line, but letting someone with only a few items go ahead says "I see you, and you matter." Even saying "thank you" and "you're welcome" is a small act of humility in a culture fluent in entitlement.