Men, Be True to Your Word

Josh. 6:22-25

Joshua told the two spies to do as they had promised to Rehab and her family.

It is very important for men to be faithful to their word. In my father's day he said my word is my bond and you could always count on what he said whether you liked it or not and there were times we boys would rather he not say he was planning to do certain things.

There are some things a father should do and some things he needs to refrain from doing.

Ephesians 6:4 tells us a father should not provoke his children to wrath (anger). Fathers can be so hard on their children that they become disheartened and some even leave home and get involved in things that lead to destruction.

A young boy was brought up in a Marine Sgt. home where the dad wanted to run his home like he ran his platoon back at the base. One day after passing out orders to everyone he asked is there any questions? Yes, replied the lad, how do you get out of this chicken outfit?

A father should love his family and bring them up in the fear and nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph.6:4b.

A father has a responsibility that no one else can fulfill and men if you don't do your job as a dad should it won't get done.

Many men think that working and providing a pay check for groceries, house payment, car payment, etc. is providing for their family. This is a beginning not the end of our responsibility. We owe it to our children to help them develop in body, mind, and spirit.

A father should teach his children. Deuteronomy .6:6-8 tells us, and these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligently to your children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou lieth down and when thou riseth up. Thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand and they shall be as frontlets between thy eyes.

This is a commandment man has toward his family and we need to carry it out with God's help.

We say  a man's home is his castle. If this is true then there are some princes and princesses and a queen somewhere close by that needs to be shown respect fitting to them.

Our home also needs to be a classroom that right and wrong are taught. The old adage you do as I say, not as I do doesn't work today and never did. A real leader will consult with others that are concerned before going to war. Notice Joshua told the two young men in verse 22, go into Rehabs  house and bring out the woman and all she hath as you swore to her.

Men, let people learn to count on you to do as you say you will do. Don't make promises you can't keep. I try to say, if the Lord be willing I will try to do thus and such.

God's word says, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. You can trust God to do as he said.