WALK IN THE WAY OF THE LORD

Main Scriptures: 1Sam.8:1-4

More Scriptures: Eph.6:4, Rev.5:10, Eph.5:25

As the head of your family and the spiritual authority over your sheep and sheepfold, you must understand that it is one thing to teach or preach the principles of the word of God to your wife and children and another to walk the talk. This is a key responsibility you must assume quickly if you want to optimize your God-given potential as the godly man, husband and father. It is often said that people learn from what they see rather than what is said. This is why it is important for you to walk in the way and admonition of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect example of the godly husbandman. And so, we shall be considering the Bible passage from first Samuel chapter 8 and verses 1 to 4.

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abiah, they were judges in Beer-sheba. And his sons walked not in his ways but turned aside after lucre and took bribes, and perverted judgment (1Sam.8:1-4).  Note something very instructive here. Prophet Samuel’s sons walked not in his way. Whose way? The way of their father- a man who loved and honoured God. You are to show your wife and children the way by walking the talk and walking the way- matching your talk with practical actions. It is not enough to talk how much you care for them. It is much more important how much you show care and love to them. Many times as husbands and shepherds, we are very quick to tell our sheep how bad they are. We are quick to point their faults to them. We forget that our sheep are reflections of who we are. As the priest over your wife and children, you have tremendous influence-capacity to provide mentorship and influence. In Rev.5:10, the Scripture describes you as a king and a priest- a man of affluence and influence. Walking the talk has no respect for position, age, status or tribe. What counts for you is not what you say but what you do with what you say.

But how do I walk in the way of the Lord? Firstly, you must pray intensely for the empowerment of the Holy Ghost so that you can speak the truth always and enforce righteousness in every area. You need the power of the Holy Ghost to reign in your family kingdom as the head, who thinks and acts righteously. You can never outgrow the power of the Holy Spirit if you do not want to end up a failure as the shepherd. Secondly, you must pray for the outworking of the Spirit of truth, righteousness and obedience in your life and the lives of your wife and children. As you pray them into the will of God, they will begin to follow your ways even as you are following the ways of Jesus Christ.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

• Father, by Your Spirit, empower me to give practical expression to Your instructions as I lead my wife and children.
• Father, by Your Spirit, empower me with the Spirit of boldness so that I can stand for truth and righteousness.
• Father, by Your Spirit, stir up the spirit of obedience in the lives of my wife and children and make them obey Your instructions delightsomely.

FAITH CONFESSION

The life of Christ in me shall impact greatly my life and the lives of my wife and children because that is what enhances my headship as the good and godly husbandman in Jesus name. Amen.

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