I am alarmed at the degeneration I see in families (as defined biblically – one man+one woman+child or children). Government data shows that the proportion of children born to unmarried women is increasing in the overall population, a little more than 40%. The statistics would be much higher if it were not for the diabolical practice of abortion. About a million pre-born children each year do not see the light of day. There needs to be a return to the biblical principles of motherhood!
We are going to look at 6 Biblical Principles of Motherhood
#1 Marriage Comes Before Motherhood
The Bible gives clear instructions concerning the order in which some things are to take place. One example is that salvation comes before biblical baptism and biblical baptism come before church membership. (see Acts 2:41-42 & 8:36-38). Likewise, God has established in His Word a clear prerequisite for motherhood: A woman is to be married first and then bear children. This principle is clearly articulated in 1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
I want to take this one step further. You are to be married before you have any kind of sexual contact. Here’s why I am venturing into this realm – Several studies examining sexual activity of single Christians found that “80% of unmarried evangelical young adults 18-29 said that they have had sex.”
Obviously parents and Bible believing churches are missing the boat when it comes to impressing upon their children God’s plan for abstinence! 1 Corinthians 6:18 says, “Flee fornication.” But it goes even deeper than that if you examine 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
Turn to Hebrews 13:4 — Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
It is unfortunate that I have to be so blunt, but it is necessary to clearly say that God’s order is marriage first, then sexual relationships, with the intended end of producing children. This is the pattern that God expects us to follow. Sexual abstinence every bit as much the young man’s responsibility as it is the young ladies!
#2 – Seek To Have Children
Our culture is dying! The average birth rate per family in the United States is 1.9 children. Just to sustain a culture the birth rate must be 2.11. Here is the problem; our demographic is changing in America because it is the black, Hispanic, middle eastern families that are supporting the 1.9 birth rate.
One key purpose of marriage is to have children! One of the great sins of our day happens when married couples try to keep from having children. This is an end times curse and rebellion against God. Luke 23:29 “For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.”
God’s plan is for married couples to attempt to have children. I turn your attention back to 1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
Again, one primary purpose of marriage is procreation! What a mother really needs are children. They are an indicator of God’s blessing (Psalm 127:3).
#3 Focus On The Home and Children
Let’s look back at 1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
The English word “guide” is a translation of the Greek word oikodespotein (oikodespotein, oy-kod-es-pot-ehn’; 3616) which means to manage the domestic affairs of the home or simply be the home manager. This does not conflict with the husband’s authority. Ephesians 5:23 says, “the husband is the head of the wife….” The Greek word translated “head” is kefalh (kephale, kef-ale), which means the head, top or that which is the uppermost in relation to something; one to whom others are subordinate; the leader. The husband is also to “ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity” (1 Timothy 3:4 & 12). That is, he has the overall supervision of his wife and the children.
There is no conflict here. The primary focus of the wife is the home and the children. She manages the home and the children under the supervision of her husband. Husbands, do all you can to make it possible for your wife to be a stay at home mom (Titus 2:5)! It is physically impossible for her to manage the home and kids while having a full time job. It would be far better for you to pare down your lifestyle and make provision for you wife to focus on the home than to live affluently. Your kids need their mother far more than they need designer clothes and the newest toys. Your kids need their mom more than you need a the newest video games, cel phones or to have their own bedrooms.
#4 An Encouraging, Contributing Husband
The mother of you children needs you! My heart goes out to women who are stay at home moms and then home schooling on top of that. Daily she is up to her ears in alligators! She needs to be able to come up for a breath of air. That is where you come in dads/husbands. It is important for her husband give her some time for herself! Get a baby sitter an take her out, even if it is for a burger. Be SURE to generously praise her, for she certainly will not get any encouragement from the kids most likely and surely not the from mainstream politically correct feminists who curl their lips and raise their eyebrows as they say “she’s just a housewife and mother,” as if that is degrading. Being a biblically mother NOT degrading at all! It is an high and holy vocation. It is what kept our culture on track for so many years. But now our culture is going off the rails because moms are not being moms!
By the way it is biblical to encourage your wife and contribute to the rearing of your children. I did not just pull that out of thin air! Turn with me to Proverbs 31:28 — Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Now, that not all. The Hebrew word translated “praiseth” in this passage is “halal,” (haw-lal’; 1984) which means to commend and to rave about. The implication is that you commend her to her face, before the children as well as in public.
Men, your wife, (the mother of your children), needs your praise! When is the last time you praised her? It should become a regular practice.
Secondly, a mother needs her husband’s support. He needs to contribute to the rearing of the children. The Bible clearly corroborates this. Proverbs 1:8 says, My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: What I find interesting about this verse are the words “instruction” and “law.” The Hebrew word translated “instruction” means admonition, correction, chastisement and discipline. The word “law” is the Hebrew word tow-rah, or torah. To the Jew, the Torah was God’s Law, the first five books of the Bible. The idea in this context is, it was mother’s law. Mom laid down the law and the children were to follow it. Obviously, both the father and mother are involved and together in rearing the children. It is a great blessing to a mother when the dad supports her law when rearing the children (and vice versa). There is a united front. There is consistency. As a result, one parent cannot be played against another. A husband who contributes to the rearing of the children is what a mother needs.
#5 Obedient, Grateful Children Who Honor Her
Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (see Colossians 3:20).
Few things bring more joy to a mother (or father) than when their children live obedient, faithful lives. This is pointed out in Proverbs 23:24-25 “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. 25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.” Few things bring more grief & sorrow to a parent than wayward children. This is noted in Proverbs 17:25 “A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.” Mom’s need children who “…arise up, and call her blessed; Proverbs 31:28.
#6 Gain Strength From the Lord
Mom’s you cannot do it on your own. Tap into the Lord’s reservoir of strength.
Psalms 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”