Speaking the truth is important, but living the truth is even more important. One of the most damaging things about passing on the baton of biblical values from one generation to the next is the failure of fathers to live up to these values in their personal every day lives.
Mental assent to truth is , I believe, one of the most dangerous enemies of truth. Truth has many enemies but the most subtle of all is mental assent for it mentally holds truth in high regard but fails to implement it into one's own life.
Throughout the centuries Christianity has built show cases around truth, e.g. the big, ornate cathedrals throughout the European empire and the more modern ones of the new world. It is like putting our most valuable plates or family heirlooms on display in valuable fancy cabinets. But the cathedral is not the truth. The priesthood's clothing is not the truth, no matter how beautiful it is. The real truth is found only in the Bible which hopefully is still somewhere inside the massive show case.
The truth is best displayed by those who not only know the truth, but live the truth. Unless fathers live the truth from their hearts they will never be able to pass its values and virtues on to the next generation.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell