Day 33: Establishing the Right Priorities

We have been looking at God’s answer to the problem of disrupted families that impacts our society. So far, we have seen that the primary responsibility for the order in the home and the family is placed by God upon the fathers. We see this, for instance, in Ephesians 6:4:

"And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (NASB)

Those are two primary responsibilities of a father: discipline and instruction. He has to maintain order in the home through proper discipline, and at the same time, it is his responsibility to give his children instruction in the ways of the Lord, instruction in the principles of Scripture and right living in the Christian faith.

Now, I would have to say on the basis of my observation that many fathers today have failed to do this. They have not given the discipline and instruction that their families needed. I would say the reason why many fathers have failed and are failing today is through failure to establish right priorities. They don't value their homes and their children as highly as they should. They put other things first: success in business, pleasure, entertainment, making money, keeping up with the Joneses. Many other things take priority over that most valuable, wonderful possession which God has given: their children. And consequently, they do not fulfil their duties and responsibilities towards their children. That is the primary cause.

Another major factor in this problem is disharmony between the parents, between husband and wife. James 3:16 tells us this:

"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." (NIV)

So, where there is envy or competitiveness between husband and wife, and where each is guilty of selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every evil practice. My observation convinces me that children that grow up in that atmosphere are bound to have serious emotional and personal problems. In most cases, such problems go back to childhood and to the home.

Another factor is that a wrong relationship between husband and wife hinders their prayers. In 1 Peter 3:7, Peter says:

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." (NIV)

The implication is that a wrong relationship between husband and wife hinders their prayers on behalf of their children and in all areas. On the other hand, Jesus told us that if two people could agree, could harmonise together, anything they pray for would be granted. What two people should be better able to agree and to harmonise together than husband and wife? And when they do that, that atmosphere of harmony will permeate their homes and their prayers will be answered by God on behalf of their children.