Being the man, the husband and father

You are the undisputed head of your family

Leadership in the home is no laughing matter.  Our culture has redefined the meaning and responsibilities of man and woman in society and in the home. Many men are confused and insecure. Many do not know how to act in the home. Growing up, they lacked a good model for leadership at home and have no mental picture of what it means to lead a family. Consequently, they do not lead effectively, or they do not even try.

Increasingly, many men are becoming passive in the home. They've decided that the easiest thing to do is nothing. This is a very worrying situation as God has given the man the headship in the home. Why transfer your responsibilities? When a man is married to a strong wife who will take over, he often lets her do just that.

Fortunately, there is an answer. The Scriptures clearly give us the model for being a man, a husband and father. I call that model the "servant/leader."

The concepts I share will help you understand the biblical role of a husband more clearly than ever before. When correctly interpreted and applied, these concepts not only result in freedom for the husband and wife, but also help you work better as a team to combat isolation and conflict in your marriage.

1: Man as the leader. Take the lead in your family.

The Scriptures provide a clear organizational structure for a marriage.

But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ

1 Corinthians 11:3-9

“Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head--it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.” (NIV)

God has placed ultimate responsibility with respect to the household on the shoulders of the husband . . . The Lord has assigned the wife the duty of obeying her husband yet . . . this obedience must be a voluntary submission on her part, and that only to her own husband, not to every man."

"Head" does not mean male dominance, where a man lords it over a woman and demands her total obedience to his every wish and command. God never viewed women as second-class citizens. His Word clearly states that we are all equally His children and are of equal value and worth before Him. As Galatians 3:28 tells us, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" .

When God presented Eve to Adam in the Garden, Adam received her as a gift of great value to God and him. When husbands, particularly Christian husbands, do not treat their wives as a precious gift from God and helpmate, they can cause those wives to search for a way to find significance and value as persons, often outside God's will.

Are you a leader? Men who are "natural" leaders have no trouble answering the question, yes. They know how to take over, control, guide, and get things done. Some men are not strong or natural leaders. How can they lead in the home?

Paul says the same to everyone. God has placed the husband in the position of responsibility. It does not matter what kind of personality a man may have. Your wife may be resisting you, fighting you, and frustrating your attempts to lead, but it makes no difference. I believe our wives want us and need us to lead. You are not demanding this position; on the contrary, God placed you there. You will not lead her perfectly, but you must care for you wife and family by serving them with perseverance.

The husband is the head of his wife and has to be vitally interested in her welfare. He is her protector. His pattern is Christ Who, as head of the Church, is its Savior!"

2: The Love to the wife must be unconditional.

 Ephesians 5:25

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (NIV).

Your unconditional acceptance of your wife is not based upon her performance, but on her worth as God's gift to you. One of the best ways to have unconditional love is to affirm her constantly. Let her know verbally that you value her, respect her, and love her.

There is no question that words communicate love, but so do actions. You need to do both. As the Apostle John wrote in one of his letters: "let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:18). One of the missing ingredients in male leadership in homes is sacrificial action. When was the last time you gave up something for your wife—something you genuinely valued? Sometimes you need to give up something you enjoy so your wife can have a break and see your love for her.

3: Serve your wife wholly. 

According to the New Testament, being head of your wife does not mean being her master, but her servant. Again, Christ is our model for this type of leadership. Jesus did not just talk about serving; He demonstrated it when he washed His disciples' feet (John 13:1-17).

One of the best ways to serve your wife is to understand her needs and try to meet them. Do you know what your wife's top three needs are right now? If she is a young mother, she has a certain set of basic needs. If your children are grown and gone and you are in the empty nest, your wife has a different set of needs that you should try to meet. What is she worried about? What troubles her? What type of pressure does she feel?

What do you know about your wife's hopes and dreams? I bet she has plenty—do you know what they are? Are you cultivating her gifts?

Another way to serve your wife is to provide for her. This provision first involves assuming responsibility for meeting the material needs of the family.

1 Timothy 5:8

“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”. (NIV)

Providing for your wife also means taking the initiative in helping meet her spiritual needs. You do this by modeling godly character, by praying with her, by spending time together in God's Word, and by looking for ways to encourage her spiritually. Accommodate your life to the life of the gift God has given you—your wife. Give up your life for hers. 

BE THE LEADER, LOVER AND SERVANT IN YOUR HOME AS YOU ARE THE MAN, HUSBAND AND FATHER.