The Importance of Leadership in the Family

Ministering: Pastor I. S James
Topic: The Importance of Leadership in the Family
Text: Gen 3:16

As men, when God chose to make us leaders He had a purpose in mind. In starting, let’s look at a couple of quotes.
“Before you become a leader, success is about growing yourself, when you become a leader; it’s about growing others.” Jack Welch

As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” Bill Gates
Leadership isn’t just about wearing the toga of a boss; it’s about empowering those around you.

In God’s first conversation with man after the fall, we see Adam shirking his responsibility of leadership & Eve following his cue.
Gen. 3:16 (b) states, “Your desire shall be for your husband & he’ll rule over you”. Bible scholars say there’re 2 possible meanings:

1.     God was stating the danger in wives seeking their husbands’ affection & approval over God’s, thus exposing themselves to possible harm
No man on earth can totally meet another’s needs, so it’s wrong for a woman to look to her husband for total satisfaction of her needs.

2.     There’s an ever-present desire in the wife to control her husband, but since she can’t achieve this she’ll scheme to get her way.
Marriage is a union of tension-filled rivalry & friction. Happily ever after only exists in fairy tales.

So, how do we avoid & resolve conflicts in the home? Here are some biblical bits of counsel:

1Tim. 2:8-15

1.     Men ought to take leadership in the place of prayer

2.     Realise that man was formed first (v. 13), so he ought to take the place of leadership & responsibility in the home.

3.     Men understand that women have trusting dispositions & attitudes

1Peter 3:1-10

4.     Wives let your lifestyles conform to Christ’s standards in all facets of life – especially at home.

5.     Wives adorn yourselves and do what’s necessary to make yourself attractive to & for your husband.

6.     Wives give honour and respect to your husbands as the head of the home.

7.     Husbands live with your wives in understanding (know whom she truly is & what she wants)

8.     Honour & respect her.

9.     Men realise that you & wives are equal as heirs. The way you treat her is the way you’ll be treated/judged.

10. Treat each other compassionately, lovingly & courteously.

As a result of man’s fall, our homes can’t just look like “heaven on earth”. We have to work hard at having peace in our homes.

Gen. 3:17

11. In exercising your leadership role God’s Word ought to a man ought to be final in providing him direction & not his wife’s word.

More advice:

12. It’s obvious that man was created to be a leader wherever he finds himself. Man your responsibility’s to accept the role of a leader. It’s disobedience to avoid taking this responsibility. When you take this role, everyone under you becomes liberated. Your wife becomes the best wife she can be & the same goes for your children

13. Nature abhors a vacuum, so man if you refuse to take up leadership in your home the wife will step in. If you refuse to take your role, you’re potentially creating a jezebel.

God & not man created the institutions of marriage, government & the church. Right now, Satan is looking to corrupt each of them. The failure of men to speak up or take up leadership is giving Satan the opening to corrupt and take control of these institutions.

Declaration: Men rise up & speak the Word of the LORD He will honour His Word in your lives.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us back our children & our families. We refuse to lose them to the world. We bring them to Your altar today LORD.
Prayer: LORD let Your strength flow into the men today. Make their words line up with Yours & confirm their words. Rule through them LORD!

The charge to all men today is to rise up and become leaders in the home, in church & wherever you find yourselves.