Straight Talk to Men

Whether it seems out of date or not, a Christian man is obligated to lead his family to the best of his ability. This assignment does not justify iron-fisted oppression of children or the disregard of a woman’s needs and wishes, of course. But God apparently expects a man to be the ultimate decision maker in his family. Likewise, he bears heavier responsibility for the outcome of those decisions. If his family has purchased too many items on credit, then the financial crunch is ultimately his fault. If the family never reads the Bible or seldom goes to church, God holds the man to blame. If the children are disrespectful and disobedient, the primary responsibility lies with the father . . . not his wife. (I don’t remember Eli’s wife being criticized for raising two evil sons; it was her husband who came under God’s wrath. See 1 Samuel 3:13.)