Point Man // Father's Day Special
The Point Man
In the chaos of modern life, it's easy to forget that we're engaged in a spiritual battle. This battle isn't fought with guns and tanks, but with faith, courage, and unwavering commitment. And for those of us who are husbands and fathers, we've been called to a critical role - that of the Point Man.
Imagine yourself as a young soldier in Afghanistan. You're barely 18, with dreams and aspirations, suddenly thrust into the role of Point Man for your patrol. The weight of responsibility is immense. Your decisions could mean life or death for the men following you. As you navigate through poppy-filled meadows, your senses are on high alert for hidden wires and snipers. The enemy could be anywhere, watching, waiting.
Now, shift that scenario. You're still the Point Man, but instead of leading soldiers, you're leading your family through the treacherous landscape of modern culture. Your wife and children follow behind you, looking to you for guidance and protection. The stakes are even higher now. This isn't just about physical survival; it's about spiritual survival.
This analogy isn't far from reality. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." The enemy we face is real, and his strategies are clear:
1. To effectively alienate and sever a husband's relationship with his wife.
2. To effectively alienate and sever a father's relationship with his children.
The impact of this spiritual warfare on families is profound. Research shows that parents who teach their children a biblical worldview raise children who are 12 times less likely to engage in extramarital sex, 9 times more likely to avoid adult material online, and 4 times more likely to reject the idea that good works alone can lead to salvation.
But here's the hard truth: Satan's primary strategy in this war on the family is to neutralize the man. Like it or not, if you're a husband or father, you've been appointed as the Point Man. The enemy's desire is to render you ineffective, often through the insidious feeling of "not enough."
This wound of "not enough" is deeply rooted in many men's hearts. Perhaps you were raised by a father who only corrected but never praised. Maybe you could never jump high enough, work hard enough, or hold the flashlight just right. If criticism immediately triggers anger or defensiveness in you, you might be carrying this wound. Left unaddressed, this sense of inadequacy can lead men to abandon their post and abdicate their God-given position.
But there's hope. Paul's words in Ephesians 6 aren't just a warning; they're a rallying cry. After reminding us of our identity in Christ, the fullness of His power, and the depth of God's love, Paul exhorts us: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
How do we become strong in the Lord? Isaiah 40:31 gives us a clue: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." We need to bring back the practice of waiting on the Lord, of drawing our strength from Him.
The Greek word used for "power" in Ephesians 6:10 is "kratos," which signifies not just strength, but ruling power or authority. As men, we lose strength when we step outside of God's dominion. We're called to open ourselves to God's leading, to dive into His Word and receive our orders. We're not cosmic cogs in a wheel; we're sons of the Most High!
In this spiritual battle, Jesus isn't looking for men willing to die for their families. He's looking for men willing to live for their families. To stand firm, to lead with courage and faith. As we face this challenge, here are four "stays" to remember:
1. Stay in the Book: Don't let a day go by without feeding yourself spiritually.
2. Stay close to a friend: Be accountable. The goal is to grow up in Christ, not just grow old in Christ.
3. Stay on your knees: Keep a spiritual wall of protection around you and your family through prayer.
4. Stay focused on the ultimate victory: Remember the vision of Revelation 19, where Christ returns as the conquering King, leading the armies of heaven.
Like Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, when we find ourselves surrounded and unprepared, our response should be to seek the Lord fervently. Jehoshaphat's fear led him to proclaim a fast and gather the people to seek God's help. In our moments of fear and inadequacy, we too must turn to the Lord.
As Point Men, we're called to lead our families through enemy territory. It's a daunting task, but we're not alone. We have the full armor of God at our disposal, and more importantly, we have the power of His might working through us.
So stand firm, Point Man. Your family is counting on you. The enemy may be fierce, but our God is fiercer. In Christ, you are more than enough. You've been appointed for this role, equipped for this battle. Lead with courage, lead with faith, and lead with the unshakeable knowledge that the victory has already been won.
In the chaos of modern life, it's easy to forget that we're engaged in a spiritual battle. This battle isn't fought with guns and tanks, but with faith, courage, and unwavering commitment. And for those of us who are husbands and fathers, we've been called to a critical role - that of the Point Man.
Imagine yourself as a young soldier in Afghanistan. You're barely 18, with dreams and aspirations, suddenly thrust into the role of Point Man for your patrol. The weight of responsibility is immense. Your decisions could mean life or death for the men following you. As you navigate through poppy-filled meadows, your senses are on high alert for hidden wires and snipers. The enemy could be anywhere, watching, waiting.
Now, shift that scenario. You're still the Point Man, but instead of leading soldiers, you're leading your family through the treacherous landscape of modern culture. Your wife and children follow behind you, looking to you for guidance and protection. The stakes are even higher now. This isn't just about physical survival; it's about spiritual survival.
This analogy isn't far from reality. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." The enemy we face is real, and his strategies are clear:
1. To effectively alienate and sever a husband's relationship with his wife.
2. To effectively alienate and sever a father's relationship with his children.
The impact of this spiritual warfare on families is profound. Research shows that parents who teach their children a biblical worldview raise children who are 12 times less likely to engage in extramarital sex, 9 times more likely to avoid adult material online, and 4 times more likely to reject the idea that good works alone can lead to salvation.
But here's the hard truth: Satan's primary strategy in this war on the family is to neutralize the man. Like it or not, if you're a husband or father, you've been appointed as the Point Man. The enemy's desire is to render you ineffective, often through the insidious feeling of "not enough."
This wound of "not enough" is deeply rooted in many men's hearts. Perhaps you were raised by a father who only corrected but never praised. Maybe you could never jump high enough, work hard enough, or hold the flashlight just right. If criticism immediately triggers anger or defensiveness in you, you might be carrying this wound. Left unaddressed, this sense of inadequacy can lead men to abandon their post and abdicate their God-given position.
But there's hope. Paul's words in Ephesians 6 aren't just a warning; they're a rallying cry. After reminding us of our identity in Christ, the fullness of His power, and the depth of God's love, Paul exhorts us: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
How do we become strong in the Lord? Isaiah 40:31 gives us a clue: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." We need to bring back the practice of waiting on the Lord, of drawing our strength from Him.
The Greek word used for "power" in Ephesians 6:10 is "kratos," which signifies not just strength, but ruling power or authority. As men, we lose strength when we step outside of God's dominion. We're called to open ourselves to God's leading, to dive into His Word and receive our orders. We're not cosmic cogs in a wheel; we're sons of the Most High!
In this spiritual battle, Jesus isn't looking for men willing to die for their families. He's looking for men willing to live for their families. To stand firm, to lead with courage and faith. As we face this challenge, here are four "stays" to remember:
1. Stay in the Book: Don't let a day go by without feeding yourself spiritually.
2. Stay close to a friend: Be accountable. The goal is to grow up in Christ, not just grow old in Christ.
3. Stay on your knees: Keep a spiritual wall of protection around you and your family through prayer.
4. Stay focused on the ultimate victory: Remember the vision of Revelation 19, where Christ returns as the conquering King, leading the armies of heaven.
Like Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, when we find ourselves surrounded and unprepared, our response should be to seek the Lord fervently. Jehoshaphat's fear led him to proclaim a fast and gather the people to seek God's help. In our moments of fear and inadequacy, we too must turn to the Lord.
As Point Men, we're called to lead our families through enemy territory. It's a daunting task, but we're not alone. We have the full armor of God at our disposal, and more importantly, we have the power of His might working through us.
So stand firm, Point Man. Your family is counting on you. The enemy may be fierce, but our God is fiercer. In Christ, you are more than enough. You've been appointed for this role, equipped for this battle. Lead with courage, lead with faith, and lead with the unshakeable knowledge that the victory has already been won.
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