Thought for the Day

Solomon's admonition to his son expresses the desire of every good parent through the ages. Some of the younger generation are so full of rebellion, that many parents suffer reproach for their children. One cause of rebellion, even amongst Christians, is that homes are not in Biblical order. Much strife is caused by absent or passive husbands, and overbearing wives. It is no wonder that homes are falling apart. One of the main causes for this rebellion is an evil spirit of female domination. This type of domineering spirit is termed a "Jezebel spirit" because Jezebel ruled her husband, Ahab, and usurped his authority (1 Kings 21:25). Many women today are guilty of the same sin. When a woman seeks to usurp a man's authority and rule the home, spiritual havoc results, leaving a family wide open to Satanic attack. "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths" (Isaiah 3:12).

Some of the dilemmas that women reap when not in right relationship with men are, in addition to rebellious children, emotional and sexual problems, as well as divorce. Men that fail to take their godly position in the home are equally at fault for these problems. "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God" (1 Corinthians 11:3).

The husband is to be head of the house, the wife is second-in-command, and the children obedient to both (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 6:1). The Lord would have our homes to be examples of His love; parental authority should be exercised in love. When one has a "Jezebel spirit," it subtly manipulates the lives of everyone around them. (Men can also operate in this tyrannical spirit towards their family or in undermining those in authority over them.) Let us ask God to deliver us from these evil tendencies if we should find ourselves guilty of being domineering and manipulative. Men should ask God to create within them a proper understanding of the use of authority, and women should ask Him to create in them a submissive spirit, which is pleasing to the Lord. Of course, there are limits to submission, as it should always be "as unto the Lord." No one is to submit to evil. We must first submit to God, and then He will resolve our problems involving submission to others. Submission is a heart attitude and the Bible tells us to submit to one another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21).