The Wise Father

Fathers will impact their children. For some this impact will be positive and for others negative. But make no mistake, there will be a lasting impact. This world needs stable father figures who will engage in their children’s lives. Father engagement, however, needs to be specific and intentional. I could categorize fathers in a few different groups. There are those who are completely checked out and have no engagement with their children. This father offers no love, encouragement or security to their children. This father may bury himself in work, or even worse, an addiction of some kind. Then there are the fathers with good intentions. They are engaged with their children. There is no doubt that they love them and support them. There is nurturing and security. The one thing missing in this father/child relationship is the nurturing and discipleship in Christ and His word. The time with their children is merely about worldly activities. This father/child relationship might exist solely on the basis of sports, fishing, hunting, or hobbies of some sort. These activities are certainly by no means immoral or inappropriate. The one thing missing is Christian nurturing and discipleship. Thirdly, there are the wise fathers with good intentions who engage spiritually with their children. We need to see fathers move toward being wise fathers who engage in loving nurturing Christian discipleship.

Here are two qualities for every father to consider if you desire to move toward being a wise father.

1. A wise father is one who has Biblical content and instruction for his children. He is a spiritually substantive father. Consider these verses of scripture from the book of Proverbs. Notice as you read that the father encourages his son to listen to his instruction. It is apparent that the father has some proper and godly instruction for his son. He actually has some spiritual content within his own heart and mind to pass on to his son. A wise father has instruction for his children based on the wisdom and the word of God. Proverbs 1:8, "Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching." Proverbs 2:1, "My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you." Proverbs 3:1, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments." Proverbs 4:1, "Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, and give attention that you may gain understanding."

2. A wise father is one who has spiritual goals and direction in mind for his children. The wisdom of Proverbs explains that without vision a people will perish or go unrestrained. A wise father brings vision and direction to his children. He knows where they should be going and then shares this direction with his children. The wise father in the book of Proverbs has a vision for his son. In Proverbs 1 the father knows that the son can get enticed to sin by being around the wrong people. He instructs him on proper friendships. In Proverbs 2 the father knows that the son needs to possess wisdom in his life and there by instructs him to pursue wisdom. In Proverbs 5 and 7 the father knows that the son needs to be morally sound. Consequently, he instructs his son to avoid ungodly and immoral women who would destroy his life. If you would desire to be a wise father then make sure your goals for your children are according to the wisdom of Proverbs. Your goals should be to see your children have healthy relationships, Godly wisdom, and moral purity. If after you have raised your children they have good relationships, filled with Godly wisdom, and have a morally sound life then rejoice before God and praise His name.

May God guide fathers to have wisdom to impact their children and subsequent generations to come. Have a great day and God Bless!