Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men

How to Be a Good Father

than we normally think of in connection with the word. No tice that the above verse refers to “training” and “instruction” as the opposites of provocation: ―Don‘t provoke, but train. Don‘t provoke, but instruct.‖ Provocation can mean neglect. When you neglect your children, you incite them to despise you. Some fathers have no sensitivity to their children‘s needs, so the children b e come exasperated, provoked. They end up with inferiority complexes and undeveloped personalities, because their fa thers didn‘t show them the love and kindness of God. My prayer is that every father or potential father read ing this book will take a look at his life and ask himself, ―What can I leave my chi l dren?‖ Do you want to leave them a house? Fine. However, that doesn‘t mean you will leave them a h ome. Do you want to leave them a car? Good. But that doesn‘t mean you will have taught them to be responsible enough to take care of it. Do you want to leave them some books? Wonderful. Yet that doesn‘t mean you‘re going to leave them with the interest to read them. Values are transmitted by example, not talk. Morals are transmitted by personification, not lectures. Proverbs 17:6 says, “Parents are the pride of their chil d ren.” I think the greatest thing a father could hear his child say is, ―That‘s my daddy. I‘m proud of him. He‘s the best father.‖ Will your children be able to say of you, ―The pride of my life is my father‖? or ―I want to be just like my f a ther‖? When your children want to be like you, they want to be like God, whom you represent. Ephesians 5:1 says, “Be i m itators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.” As you imitate your heavenly Father, your children will imitate you and reflect the character and life of their Creator. That is what the dominion assignment of fatherhood is all about. What Will Your Legacy Be?

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