FATHERS & KNOWLEDGE (PT. 2)
Let us begin by defining the word—knowledge. The term knowledge means a) the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association, b) the fact or condition of being aware of something, or c) the range of one’s information or understanding. However, there is another perspective worth considering when it comes to knowledge. Revelation is the word most often used when referring to spiritual knowledge. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines revelation as a) an act of revealing or communicating divine truth, b) something that is revealed by God to humans, or c) an act of revealing to view or making known. One may conclude that there is the knowledge that men and women may not be as familiar with as they might think. Deut. 29:29 reveals:
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”
It is important to note that there are some things that we don’t know. And more importantly, there are things that we would not know unless the Lord reveals them to us.
It is a fact that men and women need God to reveal His truth to them. Our present culture is under the impression that it knows what is truth! The writer in Proverbs, chapter 4, warns humanity of the error of this assumption.
“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. (6) Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. (7) Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” (Prov. 4:5-7).
Understanding is essential. Per the previous blog, the word, understand, is defined “as the power of comprehending.” The word comprehend means “to grasp the nature, significance or meaning of.” Satan works overtime to confuse man’s discernment of revelation, resulting in his misunderstanding of knowledge. The result of this confusion is a lack of wisdom.
Men and women must understand the significance of this truth. Everything we do in life is done in the context of relationships. God meant for us to experience life through relationships. First, God created all humanity to be in a relationship with Him. Next, their relationship with Him would provide a revelation for their relationship with each other. Relationships promote growth, with the result being maturity. There are lessons to be learned from every relationship. For example, fathers cannot appreciate this role if they are uninformed of their roles as husbands. The will of God is that men become husbands before they become fathers. A husband must mature in the marriage relationship because this prepares him, and his wife, for parenthood. In short, they are learning how to navigate their relationships together. It is understood that the marriage relationship is a learning experience, but parenting requires another level of maturity altogether.
Both the man and the woman, the husband, and the wife must mature in their understanding of their relationship. Immaturity is a challenge for everyone, with the result being confusion. The responsibility for the man is to lead and to maintain order. If a man is immature in his understanding of responsibility, the relationship will suffer. Both the man and the woman must have a mature revelation of what manhood and womanhood is. I remind you that revelation comes from God. I want to share a definition of mature masculinity and mature femininity with you to consider prayerfully. I will continue discussing this topic in the next blog. This definition comes from the book: Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood edited by John Piper and Wayne Grudem.
“AT THE HEART OF MATURE MASCULINITY IS A SENSE OF BENEVOLENT RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD, PROVIDE FOR AND PROTECT WOMEN IN WAYS APPROPRIATE TO A MAN’S DIFFERING RELATIONSHIPS.”
“AT THE HEART OF MATURE FEMININITY IS A FREEING DISPOSITION TO AFFIRM, RECEIVE AND NURTURE STRENGTH AND LEADERSHIP FROM WORTHY MEN IN WAYS APPROPRIATE TO A WOMAN’S DIFFERING RELATIONSHIPS.”
Men cannot be fathers apart from women, not being mothers!