It is alarming that man is desperately trying to alter the fundamental ingredients of the home, beginning with an effort to redefine what makes a marriage.  We live in a society today that has legalized same-sex marriages as a part of the gay-rights agenda.  Unfortunately, efforts to reshape the home have not stopped there.

So-called experts promote the idea that any kind of physical punishment of children is abuse. Children can now be removed from the home of parents who discipline their children by sparing not the rod, even though they are simply following the Word of God (Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15).

The feminist movement is another devilish attack upon the home.  It is attempting to put an end to traditional marriage, as we know it, by changing the roles of husbands and wives, and by doing away with any distinctiveness between them.

Recognizing and honoring the roles of husbands and wives is a key element in building a home that is pleasing to God.  Let us first consider the role of the husband.

Husbands, your first and most important role is to be the spiritual leader of your home.  As husbands, we must lead our wives and children to a higher plane spiritually.  We must help our families to love God and live godly.  We should strive to be like Joshua.  He determined to serve the Lord with all his house (Joshua 24:15).

As husbands, there are two ways that we must fulfill our roles.  First, we must be a good example for our families to follow.   You cannot lead your family to higher spiritual ground in a hypocritical fashion.  If you are going to be successful in being the spiritual leader of your home, you must first be spiritual.   Make sure that there is no sin in your life.  Follow the exhortation of Paul by not allowing sin to reign over you (Romans 6:12-12).

When you do fall short, repent of it.  If it is something you do publicly—something of which your family is aware, talk to them about it.  Let them know that you have sinned, and that you plan to do your best not to do it again.  We do not lose our influence just because we sin once in a while.  Everyone sins (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10).  We lose our influence when we practice sin, especially if we do so hypocritically.

As husbands, we must not only lead by example, but we must also lead by demanding godly living.  God put us in a position of authority.  We must not abuse our authority by mistreating our wives or children in any way (physically, verbally, or emotionally), but we must demand a certain standard of living.  Just like we must live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27), we must demand such from our families as well.

Now, husbands, understand that our authority only goes so far.  Regarding children, fathers have the authority to demand and to disciple.  Concerning wives, husbands have the authority to demand but that is all.  There is no example in the Bible of a husband disciplining a wife.  Why not?  It is because our wives are not children.  Our responsibility is to demand proper living, while their responsibility is to submit themselves.  God will take it from there.

So, husbands and fathers, if you want to be involved in homebuilding that is pleasing to God, and that will lead to a happy home, be a good example by living according to God’s Word and take decisive action by demanding appropriate behavior by the rest of your family. You will never regret being the man that God wants you to be.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.