The Importance of a Christian Mother in the Home
A guest post by Victor M. Eskew.
The societal influences in the United States of America have taught a different picture of the home than the one presented in the pages of God’s Word.
Two people no longer have to get married. If they do get married, they do not have to marry the same sex. If they get married, they do not have to stay married for life. If a home is established, there are no basic roles to be found therein. In fact, we are told that men are weak and the woman is really the strength of the home.
Children no longer have to be part of a home. There are many ways, including abortion, to keep from having children. If children are part of the home, they wield a lot of power. Parents who try to train, control, and discipline their children are looked upon as abusers. Today, State (government) wants to be the dominant agent in the child’s life until he/she reaches adulthood.
The Need for “Counter-Cultural” Christian Homes.
Yes, Christians are swimming against the culture when it comes to the home. We are told that our Biblical values are irrelevant and out-of-touch with the 21st Century.
Christians, however, cannot allow culture to win. Paul exhorts us with these words in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world…” The word “conformed” means “to be made fashioned like” and “to be formed into a pattern.” Paul exhorts children of God, saying: “Do not let the world mold you!”
He counters that with these words: “…but ye be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Our minds need to be “renewed” by the Word of God. The word “renewed” means “to be renovated.” Thayer tells us that it means “a complete change for the better.”
Yes, Christians must go to the Good Book to learn how to live. Regardless of the mold the world seeks to pour us into, we must rebel against it. We must continue to be true to the precious instructions and truths found in God’s Word. We must allow God’s Word to transform us into something much better than the world has to offer.
God’s Design for the Home Includes a Father and Mother.
The Bible teaches us that it is important to have both a father and a mother in the home. When God created the home, he put a father and mother therein (Gen. 2:18-24). He gave each of them very different roles in order for the home to function smoothly and in order for children to receive what they need to develop properly into adults.
Both fathers and mothers need to understand, appreciate, and commit to their roles in the home. If they do not, the home will not be what God intends for it to be.
Consider the Importance of a Christian Mother in the Home.
In the remainder of this article, let’s look at the importance of a Christian mother in the home.
We must emphasize the adjective “Christian.” A Christian mother is one who has put on Jesus Christ through the act of baptism (Gal. 3:26-27). A Christian mother knows God, Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the church, and the importance of living a Christian life.
She has priorities that are different from mothers who are not Christians. She understands the importance of worship, service, Bible study, prayer, good works, morality, and love. She yearns for her home to be in harmony with God’s truth. She does all that she can to make her home a “heaven on earth” for all those who live therein. She makes certain that her Christianity is not just a lot of talk. Oh no! Her Christian life is the fabric of her home.
Christian mothers who do not understand these things need to do a diligent study of Proverbs 31:10-31. To become a virtuous woman ought to be the mark for which every Christian mother strives.
A Christian Mother Must Be a Homemaker.
There are three things that every Christian mother needs to be within her home. First, she needs to be the “homemaker.”
Several passages of Scripture reveal the need of the mother to make her home her top priority. In 1 Timothy 5:14, Paul exhorts the young women with these words:
“I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.”
In Titus 2:5, Paul says that the younger women need to be taught “to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
The home is the woman’s kingdom. The husband is the king. She is the queen. She is the ruler, master, and manager of the affairs of the home.
Can she work outside the home? Yes. But, she must never neglect her responsibilities as the steward of her home. This obligation is what brings health, stability, strength, and peace within the home.
Proverbs 31:27 summarizes this aspect of motherhood.
“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”
A Christian Mother Must Be a Teacher.
Second, the mother must be a teacher in the home. Yes, a father has this obligation as well (See Eph. 6:4). But, the mother is engaged with her children much more than a father is.
The book of Proverbs indicates that mothers are instructors of their children. In many passages, the instruction of a mother is emphasized. Early in Proverbs 1, Solomon writes:
“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (v. 8).
In Proverbs 6:20, he writes:
“My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.”
Mothers need to be laying down “the law” in their homes. They need to teach the basics of love. They need to instruct their children in the laws of morality. They need to make certain their children understand the fundamentals of Christian doctrine.
Mothers can also instill within their children what it means to work hard and be respectful. They can make certain their children learn what it means to be self-disciplined.
To teach these things, mothers will also have to boldly and carefully wield the rod. Proverbs 29:15 makes this point clearly to mothers.
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”
A Christian Mother Must Be a Good Role Model.
Third, a Christian mother will make certain that she is a good role model for her children. She knows “little eyes” are watching her. When those eyes are little, they look upon their mother as they would a princess. If the mother is true, sincere, and consistent in her manner of life, those eyes will still see her as a princess when they have matured into adulthood.
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed…” (Prov. 31:28).
Her children see her as a provider (Prov. 31:14-15, 21-22).
They see her as a hard worker (Prov. 31:16-19).
They know that she is a servant to others (Prov. 31:20).
“Strength and honor are her clothing…She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness” (Prov. 31:25-26).
She manifests to her children exactly what it means to be a Christian. Her children are glad to be able to call her “their mother.” Her life is so influential that all of her children strive to be like their mother in so many ways.
Dear readers, the influence of a Christian mother in the home cannot be stressed too much. She makes her home. She guides and trains her children. She exhorts her household to walk in her footsteps.
The home of a Christian mother is filled with love, compassion, comfort, encouragement, forgiveness, and tranquility.
A home that has a good Christian mother is a “beautiful” home regardless of the size and style of the external dwelling place.
Long after mom is gone, her children still remember and appreciate her. They are thankful that they were blessed with a mother who refused to conform to this world, but was transformed by the power of God into a godly mother who intentionally fulfilled her role in her home.
The article was originally published here.
Victor M. Eskew preaches for the Oceanside church of Christ in Atlantic Beach, Florida. The church offers a variety of free Bible study courses for anyone interested in studying God’s word. They also have a large archive of videos on their YouTube channel. I appreciate Victor’s teaching in this article!
