Family is one of the most important institutions that God has ordained. As Christians, God calls us to love, nurture, and protect our families. This is no easy task, especially in the broken world we live in today. However, God promises to equip us for this noble calling if we rely on Him. In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore what the Bible teaches about protecting our families spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
Introduction
As Christians, we are engaged in spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness that seek to destroy families (Ephesians 6:12). God exhorts us to be vigilant because our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Without the empowerment and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we are no match for the enemy. Thankfully, God does not leave us defenseless. He gives us both offensive and defensive spiritual weapons to protect our families against evil spiritual attacks.
The Bible contains many exhortations and instructions on how we can build strong families rooted in godliness and bear good fruit for God’s kingdom. God’s design for the family is meant for our protection and flourishing. When we follow His wise design, we position our families to experience His abundant blessing and protection.
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Here are three key takeaways we will cover in this post:
- God calls husbands to lovingly lead and protect their families spiritually.
- Parents are responsible to train up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- We must create an environment in our homes where God’s presence dwells and members feel safe and loved.
Let’s explore each of these principles in detail.
Husbands Are Called to Spiritually Lead and Protect Their Families
In the Bible, God places husbands in a position of spiritual leadership over their families. The Apostle Paul writes, “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church” (Ephesians 5:23 NKJV). This means husbands have a God-given responsibility to lead their wives and children to grow in their relationship with Jesus. This leadership requires them to be diligent students of God’s word so they can lead and teach their families in truth.
One day husbands will stand before God and give an account for how they fulfilled this spiritual leadership role (Hebrews 13:17). Therefore, they must see themselves as shepherds who tenderly care for and protect their wives and children from dangers that could shipwreck their faith. This includes false teaching, ungodly influences from the world, and Satan’s attacks.
Here are some key ways husbands are called to spiritually lead and protect their families:
- Be engaged in consistent Bible reading, study, and prayer – Husbands cannot impart spiritual truths they do not possess. Daily Bible engagement fuels their ability to receive wisdom from God to lead their families.
- Teach God’s Word to your wife and children – Husbands should take the initiative to gather their families regularly for Bible teaching, worship, and prayer. This teaches them to hear God’s voice.
- Model integrity, repentance, and faith – As the spiritual leader, the husband sets the tone for the moral, ethical, and spiritual tenor of the home. Their example either uplifts or drags the family spiritually.
- Guard against false teaching – Husbands must ensure false or watered-down doctrine does not creep into their homes, whether through media, relationships, or church. Sound Bible teaching is a must.
- Practice spiritual discipline – Husbands must lead by example in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, fellowship, worship, fasting, etc. This fosters a climate of spiritual growth.
- Engage in spiritual warfare – Husbands cannot be passive. They must appropriate the full armor of God through prayer to protect their families from the flaming arrows of the evil one.
The Bible warns that failure to spiritually lead brings grave danger. But when husbands lead and point their families to Christ, they fulfill their protective calling as spiritual watchmen.
Parents Must Train Up Their Children in the Lord
In addition to husbands, parents in general bear the responsibility of training their children to follow the Lord. The best defense is a good offense. When parents are diligent and proactive in discipling their kids in godliness, they equip them to withstand evil.
Consider what the Bible teaches about a parent’s call to train their children:
- Parents must instruct children in God’s Word – “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NKJV). Parents must embed Scripture in the hearts of children across everyday life.
- Teach and model the fear of the Lord – “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Psalm 34:11 NKJV). Children must grow up revering God if they are to walk uprightly. Parents model what this looks like.
- Train children in righteous living – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV). Children must understand how to make wise choices that align with God’s word. Loving discipline plays a key role.
- Do not provoke children to wrath – “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4 NKJV). While discipline is needed, parents must not exasperate children, which can breed anger and rebellion.
- Hope in God’s promise to save your children – “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved—you and your household” (Acts 16:31 NKJV). God desires whole families to come to salvation. Faith-filled prayer and instruction plant seeds for their redemption.
When parents commit to earnestly teaching and modeling God’s truth, children gain a solid spiritual foundation. Even when they are older, these biblical principles embedded during childhood protect them from straying far from the Lord.
We Must Create God-Honoring Home Environments
In addition to targeted spiritual instruction, children need to be nurtured in home environments where God’s presence dwells. This happens through our love, modeling, attitudes, priorities, and values. The atmosphere of our homes communicates powerful messages about who God is.
Consider these biblical tips for creating a household culture that honors God:
- Cultivate intimacy with God and consistency in the spiritual disciplines. Children should see parents pursuing God through regular Bible engagement, prayer, worship, fellowship, etc. These disciplines build love for God and stability in walking with Him.
- Allow God’s peace to reign in your home. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts…and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15 NKJV). Kids need to experience the beauty of relationships rooted in the peace Christ gives. Godly homes are free from anxiety, strife, anger, and stress.
- Model repentance and forgiveness. No family is perfect. When parents repent and forgive after conflict, kids learn humility and grace. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV).
- Affirm the value and potential of each child. Our words carry great power to build self-esteem rooted in who God says they are. “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 NKJV).
- Make familial love a top priority. The impact of quality family time, expressions of love, family traditions, and fun cannot be overstated. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love” (Romans 12:10 NKJV).
- Pursue and model healthy marriage relationships. Nothing provides greater stability for kids than parents who honor marriage. “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4 NKJV).
The home environment leaves indelible marks on the hearts of children. Godly, nurturing homes rooted in living faith provide powerful protection for them as they grow into adults. They internalize principles that guide them for a lifetime.
Conclusion
Our enemy desires nothing more than to destroy our families. Yet we are not helpless – God makes abundant provision to guard our homes. As Christian husbands and wives, we must take hold of the full spiritual armor of God through prayer andHIDE WORD COUNT
Here are the key takeaways in review:
- Husbands are called to love and spiritually lead their families through godly example, instruction, and protection.
- Parents must impress God’s truth on children when sitting, walking, lying down, and rising up. Loving discipline also plays a vital role.
- We must create home environments where God’s presence abides through love, modeling godliness, and nurturing faith.
May God bless you as you look to Him to protect your family
