It's Not Too Late To Be The
Spiritual Leader in Your Home
By Angie Lewis
What happens in a home when
the husband leads the household with the spiritual authority God gave him? How
can a man become the spiritual leader in his home? What are the responsibilities
of a spiritual leader?
Some husband's might feel
that it's too late to be the spiritual leader of the home, maybe they already
got a divorce, or maybe their children have already rebelled and are going their
own way. But in all truth, it is never too late to begin accepting the roles and
responsibilities that were god-given and god-breathed for you!
Some men may feel they
can't lead the home properly because they don't read the bible enough, or they
think they are too passive and introverted to lead the household like it should
be lead so they have the wife become the leader, bread winner, and major
disciplinary of the children. This is a bit backwards. Um, I wonder if this has
anything to do with the high rate of divorce and unhappy marriages floating
around in this country.
This is not what God had in mind when he established roles of husband and wife
in marriage.
If husbands aren't doing
their jobs, then I guess I understand why the wife feels she needs to take over.
Someone's got to do it, right? But
this is not what God meant for marriage at all! God recommends that every home
be lead by the spiritual influence of the husband. There are very good reasons
for this, and I think you already know why. So then, what’s the problem,
folks?
Responsibilities of a
spiritual leader:
- Loving
God (Christ) with all your heart, mind and soul. You will not be able to
lead your home properly if you do not submit to God's will for you.
- Bringing
God's truth and wisdom into the home.
- Making
major decisions for the home, but not before discussing your decision with
your wife, unless for some reason she is unable to interact with you and the
decision needs to be made immediately.
- Discussing
all minor decisions with the wife, and coming to a spiritually based
conclusion, even if the wife has to compromise with her husband.
- Submitting
your undying devotion to your wife, meaning you are willing to die for her
if you have to. Besides God, your wife is the most cherished and loved
person in your life. Love her with the wisdom God has given you, and she
will understand how to submit to your authority. She really will. It is a
natural loving process that any spiritual minded woman will see.
- Protecting
wife and children from all physical, mental, and emotional danger.
- Disciplining
the children in the ways of the Lord, and not in the ways of the world. Wife
can do minor disciplinary if it is what both husband and wife have agreed
upon already. Dad protects his children from outside negative influences
doing whatever it takes to keep children safe, secure, educated and loved
properly.
- It
is the responsibility of the husband to be the major breadwinner in the
home. There are several reasons for this. For one, being the financial
supporter of the home makes the man of the house feel good about who he is
as the leader. It is his job and responsibility as the man to support his
family financially the best he can, if at all possible. Children really need
their mother at home with them. Children need that bond, stability,
nourishment and love from their mother.
For those men who have
never led the home before, you have a haul ahead of you and none of this goes
without spiritual effort from you. The main focus here is to believe in
yourself! Have faith that this is what your true responsibility as husband and
father are. You must try and do the best you can and continually pray that God
give you the wisdom and instruction for your duties every single day!
A
spiritual leader needs to place God FIRST in his life, above all others, even
wife and children. The man who submits to God recognizes wisdom for his life and
marriage, and will do whatever it takes to keep it together.
Here
are the five major objectives of becoming a good spiritual leader.
- Bible
study: at least 2 times a week. Don't
be intimidated by the words, "bible study".
Just read the bible and you will be studying it. God knows your heart
and He will give you the answers you need.
- Start
disciplining, protecting children and wife properly – Values and morals
need to be assessed on everyone in the home. Have family discussions about
new responsibilities, tasks, and roles that they will partake in.
- Proper
decision-making – Discernment about functions, friends, relations, issues
in the home. Ask for the wisdom
to discern what is right for your family.
- Be
a good example to self, wife, children, and above all God.
- Make
all needed changes in the home that will benefit everyone involved. Be team
players working together instead of each family member going their separate
ways.
How
can a man become the spiritual leader in his home?
- Get
organized and focused on your objectives. Know what you're going to say to
the family before you say it.
- Get
family all together and explain your intentions, making sure everyone
understands the new structure in the home, whatever you have decided upon.
- Have
a twice a week bible study and counseling with the whole family.
- Stand
firm to God's word by placing wife, children, marriage, and self under the
foundations of Jesus Christ.
- Keep
studying, learning, growing, and gaining more and more spiritual insight for
you and your family to grow on. Always stay faithful.
You
can do this! Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. You have the potential to
feel good about yourself, and have a great family and marriage. It is up to you
and how much effort you are willing to put into it, that's all. Be all that God
wants you to be and you will have the wisdom you were meant to have.
At
first you wife may rebel. She is used to having things her way. But whose error
is that? The way things are going between husband and wife these days is not
just the fault of the woman who feels she needs to be the man in high heels, but
the weakness of the man who hasn't yet recognized his god-given role in life!
Love your wife with the wisdom God has given you and she will submit to your
love for her.
~~~
Copyright
2006 Angie Lewis ~ Heaven Ministries
Reprints of this article are allowed if you cite the author and website, thanks!
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