Sustaining a Godly Home – Part 1
Dear Reader,
Welcome to this great month, where God will turn your mourning into dancing in Jesus’ name! This month, we will be exploring Sustaining a Godly Home.
A godly home is a home run by the principles of Jesus, that is, according to the demands of the scriptures, which represent God’s mind, ways and styles. It is not just a family where everyone is a Christian but a Christian-like home where God is the centre-focus. However, building a godly home is not enough, but sustaining it is very important. It is the sole responsibility of the man and his wife to sustain a godly home so that they can enjoy a heaven-on-earth experience in their home.
Therefore, the home has various responsibilities which both the man and the woman must cooperate in fulfilling to sustain the home. Negligence on their part can affect the sustenance of the home.
How to Sustain the Home from Biblical Perspective?
Man as the Head and Leader. The man is the head and leader of the home. The Word says: For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body (Ephesians 5:23).Just as an organisation needs a good leader, so in the home; the husband is the head and the leader of the home for its sustenance.
The Man as the Provider. The welfare of the home has also been committed to the hands of the man to make provision for his household. The Word says: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel (1 Timothy 5:8). The man must provide spiritually, mentally and financially for his household. He must ensure his family members have what to eat and wear.
The Man as a Trainer. As the father of the children, the man has the responsibility to train his children. However, this should be done in conjunction with the wife. It is common for men to push this obligation solely on their wives because they are the mother of the children, but it supposes to be a joint effort of the two partners.
The Woman Submission. As ordained by God from creation, the woman is to submit to the leadership of the man. So to sustain the home, this is not a choice, and neither is it optional; it is an instruction. The Bible says: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22). This means she has to genuinely put herself under the control of her husband. That is, submitting from the heart, which will reflect both in her speech and behaviour towards her husband.
The Woman as the Home Maker. The woman is responsible for the house; she takes care of everyone living in it. There is a saying that says a man can build a house, but it takes a woman to make a home. The Bible says: Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands (Proverbs 14:1). Making the home involves physical and spiritual efforts.
The Woman as a Trainer. She has the responsibility towards her children by raising them in the way of the Lord. The Bible says: Train up your child in the way that he should go… (Proverbs 22:6). Training your child includes meeting their spiritual needs (ensuring they grow in the knowledge of God and His Son, Jesus Christ), physical and social needs.
Therefore, when the man and the woman play their roles well, it becomes easy to sustain the home, and no storm of life will be able to destabilise their home based on the force of agreement. Nevertheless, if one party did not fulfil his/her own responsibilities, the other party should not use that as an excuse for negligence. That party should fulfil his/her own part and pray for grace for the other party.
However, to walk in the light of these responsibilities, you need the help of Jesus. If you are not born-again, please say this prayer of faith: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner, and I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. From today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I am born-again.
Congratulations! You are now born-again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ name! Please write or call to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com OR 08141320204 and 07026385437.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Building a Successful Family, Raising Godly Children, Making Marriage Work, Understanding Motherhood, The Wisdom that Works (Bishop David Oyedepo), Marriage Covenant and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).
