What a privilege, and yet great RESPONSIBILITY to raise sons. We are raising them to be family leaders. Many of them will also be leaders of organizations, communities, churches, and even strategic positions in the nation. To us is given this great privilege of training them.
But God doesn't leave us floundering. He shows us how He wants us to do it. 1 John 2:14 gives a picture of what young men are to be like: "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." The inspired Word of God lists three things we must impart to our sons:
1. THEY MUST BE STRONG.
We have a responsibility to not only raise them to be strong physically, but courageous to face challenges and battles, valiant in their convictions, bold to contend for the faith, and ready to take responsibility and leadership. Men are often encouraged to Man Up. The Bible calls it PLAY THE MAN! In 2 Samuel 10:12 Joab inspires his soldiers, "Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God."
Sons were born to take risks, to go out and forge new trails, to explore, and pursue new ways of doing things either on the land, in business, in the ministry, or whatever. As doting mothers, we have to take our hands off as our sons as they get a little older and let them take risks. I can remember having my heart in my mouth hundreds of times as my sons grew to manhood. But if we are continually say, "Don't jump off that, it's too high!" Or "Don't climb that tree, you'll hurt yourself," and so on, they grow up wimps instead of courageous young men prepared to pioneer new trails for God or new inventions (even if they fail). And they will fail many times. There is no successful person who has not failed many times before they became successful.
2. THEY MUST BE FILLED WITH GOD'S WORD.
They will become stronger and stronger as they learn to know the Word, confess the Word, and stand upon it. Organizing the routine of your home to make sure you have Family Devotions morning and evening with your children is a powerful way to ensure they are daily filled with God's Word (Colossians 3:16).
3. THEY MUST KNOW HOW TO OVERCOME THE ENEMY.
We must teach them the principles of overcoming. How to overcome temptation in this evil world; how to say no to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the yes, and the pride of life; and how to be victorious over their thought life and the strongholds of Satan (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).
Go to my posts below on overcoming to read more of these "how to principles": WHO ARE THE OVERCOMERS?, A SWEEPING VICTORY, and OVERCOMING DAILY.
Blessings to you today,
Nancy Campbell