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ATTACKS ON THE HOME (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    If Satan was bold enough to attack the Son of God while He walked on the earth, it should not surprise us that he would attack the divine institutions that God has ordained.

 

B.      The first institution God established on the earth was the home (Gen. 2:18, 21-24).

 

C.     Satan began his attacks on the home immediately.

1.        He attacked it by tempting Eve to sin (Gen. 3).

2.       He attacked it by bringing conflict into the lives of two brothers (Gen. 4).

3.       He attacked it by bringing about the murder of a son by his own brother (Gen. 4)

 

D.    His attacks are ruthless and continue even today.

1.        We want to continue our lesson entitled:  “Attacks on the Home.”

2.       Last week, we examined four attacks of the devil on the home.

a.       Redefining marriage

b.      Divorce/Blended families

c.       Abortion

d.      Single-parent homes

 

I.             GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF THE HOME

 

A.    There is not a passage of Scripture in the Bible that authorizes the government to exert its influence over the home.

 

B.      Yet, we are seeing more and more government influence over the home.

1.        The government can mandate certain things that must be done to or for our children.

2.       The government has the right to teach whatever they deem necessary without the influence of the parent upon the school.

3.       The government can assist children in making major decisions about moral issues such as:  contraception, abortion, and transgenderism.

4.       The government can tell families that they must stay at home under certain conditions because the church is considered something that is non-essential.

5.       The government can charge parents with criminal conduct for ridiculous crimes.

a.       A mother was arrested because she left her four younger children home with their 14 year old sister to babysit.  The problem was the four year old got out of the house and was found 15 minutes later.  The mother is facing a one year prison sentence.

b.      Parents were labelled as domestic terrorists for attending school board meetings and questioning the authority of the school board.

 

C.     The problem is that those in power get addicted to power. 

1.        They want more and more power whether it belongs to them or not. 

2.       They will step out of their bounds and assume the power of another if possible. 

3.       They will disregard all laws, facts, and common sense in order to maintain their power.

a.       In the case of mother arrested because her 14-year old was babysitting, Georgia law allows 12-year olds to babysit.

b.      A case similar to this one was tried a couple of years back and was thrown out.

c.       Law enforcement knew of these things and still arrested the woman.

 

D.    Our leaders are not civil dictators.  They are supposed to be civil servants. 

1.        Their responsibility is to serve, not to lord it over the citizens. 

2.       Their job is to protect good people and punish bad people (Romans 13:3a, 4a).

 

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil…For he is the minister of God to thee for good.  But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid…

 

II.           FATHERS (MEN) VIEWED AS SISSIES

 

A.    If there is a position that requires a warrior to fulfill it properly, it is the position of a father.

1.        He is to live a holy live.

2.       He is to set the example in the family.

3.       He is to earn a living and provide for his family.

4.       He is to protect his family from evil.

5.       He is to set the rules for his family.

6.       He is the one who is to teach Christian principles.

7.       He is the one to carry out discipline.

8.       He is the one who has to say:  “No.”

9.       When others in the home fall apart, he must remain steadfast.

 

B.      Yet, there are many who would like for men, especially fathers, to be looked upon like they are sissies.

1.        Examples:

a.       Movies and television shows display them this way.

 

Since first flickering into people’s homes some 60 years ago, television has been rife with dumb dads and adolescent spouses. From Ralph Kramden and Fred Flintstone through Tim Taylor, Ray Romano and Homer Simpson, the prevailing concept is one of a bumbling, slavish, spoiled little man-child who somehow, just by the skin of his teeth, avoids both divorce and social rejection by the end of each episode.  (Dumb Dads: why are there so many male bashing commercials? - Cantech Letter).

 

b.      There is a lot of talk today about “toxic masculinity.”

1)       Defined:  “a cultural concept of manliness that glorifies stoicism, strength, virility, and dominance, and that is socially maladaptive or harmful to mental health” (dictionary.com).

2)      In an article on Healthline.com, six characteristics of toxic masculinity are listed.

3)      Parents are being advised to let their little boys wear make-up, play with dolls, and dress up like girls.  They are not to allow their boys to play cowboys and Indians, drive big 4-wheel drive trucks, hunt, or engage in aggressive sports like boxing, football, or mixed martial arts fighting.

c.       In the political realm there is the battle being waged that is known as “identity politics.”

1)       Do away with gender related pronouns.

2)      Men and women can just choose their gender identity.

3)      Men are involved in something that is called feminization.

4)      Support of the LGBTQ movement and all the gender perversions within it

d.      Children are made out to be smarter, wiser, and more mature than their parents.

e.       What schools teach children is more important than what parents teach their children.  Schools can teach our children things and allow our children to do things and parents never have to be contacted.

 

C.     God’s Word presents men as soldiers and leaders in their homes (Ex., Joshua, Josh. 24:15).

 

…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

 

 

III.         LACK OF SPIRITUALITY IN OUR HOMES

 

A.    How much spirituality does God want in our homes?  Deuteronomy 6:6-7 answers that question.

 

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

 

1.        First, teaching of God’s Word was supposed to go in the home.

2.       The opportunities to do so are set forth by Moses.

a.       Sitting in the house

b.      Walking in the way

c.       When children to go to bed

d.      When children get up

 

B.      In many homes, there is a lack of spirituality.  In some homes, there is a draught of spirituality.

1.        Many homes have no religion at all.

2.       Some homes have parents that talk about “being spiritual.”  However, they set the rules and practices for spirituality.

3.       In some homes, various sins are practiced and justified:  cursing, social drinking, lying, cheating, etc.

4.       Some homes do enough “church” to make everyone have a good conscience.

a.       Worship hour only

b.      Worship and Bible study

c.       Worship once or twice a month

d.      Worship on the important days like Easter and Christmas

5.       Regular Bible study, family worship, and being a unit that assists the church in her work are not found in a lot of homes.

 

C.     God wants a relationship with Him and an understanding of His Word to be the foundation of the home.

1.        As Joshua said:  “…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).

2.       In the home, an understanding of the Word of God should be a high priority.

a.       You cannot give children too much of it. 

b.      NOTE:  They get plenty of school, sports, hobbies, social clubs, etc.

3.       In the home, Christian principles are practiced:  love, kindness, peace, patience, encouragement, holiness, and forgiveness to name a few.

4.       The home is a model of the church. 

a.       As children age and are taught about the household of God, they should be able to see their own home and easily come to understand the precious church for which Jesus died.

b.      The way some homes are fashioned, they do not draw children to the church.   Instead, they repel them.

5.       Jesus’ words found in John 15:5, apply to the home just as they apply to the individual.

 

…for without me ye can do nothing.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    In this lesson, we looked at three more attacks on the home.

 

B.      It is easy to see that Satan is attacking the home and he is using every method at his disposal to win the battle.  Unfortunately, he has devastated many homes in our nation.  Some were Christian homes.

 

C.     The Christian’s response:  know God’ will, practice it in our homes, defend the home from all attacks.