Articles
Men, Fight for Your Families
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I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses." (Neh. 4:14)
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When their enemies threatened to strike, the Jews had no choice but to divert some of their energy away from rebuilding the city walls toward preparing for an attack. Their circumstances were grim, but Nehemiah reminded the men of what was at stake: the welfare of their sons, daughters, wives, and houses. The future of the nation required that they step up and defend their families.
The role of men in our society today is not unlike that of those ancient Jews. The threats to our families are real and growing. Feminism is turning our sons into effeminate weaklings, and our daughters into self-important divas. Sexual confusion is causing our young people to question the most basic element of their human nature, with disastrous results. Popular culture is distorting how our young people view world around them, shaping them into helpless victims who think the world owes them a living.
How can we counter all these negative influences? No offense to the ladies, but the burden of responding to these threats rests largely on the shoulders of the men in our society--husbands and fathers. We need men of integrity and strength who have the courage to stand up and fight back.
Here is the game plan, men:
- Educate yourself on the cultural evils that threaten your family. For example, are you familiar with the concepts of "Critical Theory," "cancel culture," or "moral relativism"? If not, you'd better get up to speed quickly, because your children are being taken in by these philosophical Trojan horses, and someday you'll be shocked at the influence they will have on your kids' thinking.
- Talk to your family. Build a close partnership with your wife. Develop a closeness with your children that gives them a comfort level in talking to you about their questions and fears.
- When necessary, confront the influences that are actively subverting your family. Develop a relationship with your school principle and school board members. But do it with wisdom and grace.
- Develop a bond of fellowship with other men who are engaged in the same struggle as you. Share your stories, your fears, your successes. You are not fighting this battle alone. If ever we needed a band of brothers to fight for civilization, this is the time.
- Above all, set a good example for your family. Discipline yourself to be a model of integrity, patience, wisdom, decorum, and character. Give your wife and kids something they can look up to and admire, by virtue of who you are, not by demanding it of them.
The men of Nehemiah's day succeeded in protecting their families and saved their city. We can do the same today, but only if we "remember the Lord, great and awesome," and fight for our families.
--David
