You don’t have to put up with a troubled home. Instead, find out what’s wrong, and do something about it!
I remember when we first started pastoring; Wally and I called on every family who came to our church. Some of the homes we visited were warm and loving, others seemed cold, empty, broken, and without love. They were much like a house in our old neighborhood. Driving by it one day, we saw the police bring out a handcuffed man. That sight so touched me that every time I’d drive by that house, I’d pray over it. Later when I drove by, I noticed the house was cleaned up, and had a “For Sale” sign in the yard.
Maybe you feel your house is cold, empty, or broken. There may be things “left over” from your family, such as generation curses of alcohol, drugs, strife, confusion, divorce, pornography, violence, and anger. I have good news for you—it doesn’t have to stay that way. Make Jesus the master of your home and He will turn the situation around. With the Living Word at the head of your home, the devil—and his ways—will never again have a foothold.
Evicting the “Strongman”
Matthew 12:29 says, “How can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.”
The only way you can spoil the strongman and reclaim your home for Christ is through Jesus. You can have good intentions for the welfare of your family, but if Jesus isn’t Lord, you will have a problem. No matter how well you plan financially or have everything else in order, Jesus has to be at the helm of your ship. If He isn’t, one stronger than you will be steering a course for the jagged rocks of destruction.
Making Jesus Lord is only the beginning. He must stay Lord. Matthew 12:43-45 states:
“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”
When your house is cleansed and Jesus is made Lord, demons that have lived there for generations flee, but they will attempt to regain entry. If the devil succeeds this time, he will come back with seven spirits that are worse. It’s important to not only make Jesus Lord of your house and family, but to make sure He remains master.
Authority of the Believer
Jesus has all authority, and the Bible says He has delegated that authority to you through His name. When the devil comes marching up to your door, you can absolutely bind him and kick him out!
The husband of a friend of mine would not sleep with her. She couldn’t understand why. We prayed together that God would work in their lives. Finally she prayed, “God bring out the truth of what is wrong. Why don’t I have a marriage?”
Finally, her husband confessed that he had sexually molested their daughter from the time she was two years old until she was 18. My friend was so distraught. Her husband was sentenced to prison, and she divorced him.
Their daughter attended a university, became born again and Spirit-filled, and married a young Christian man. But she took tons of baggage into her marriage. Once, her husband called me and said, “She is always threatening to leave.” I advised him, “Tell her you will help her pack. Don’t bow to her tantrums.” I asked him, “Are you praying taking authority in your home?” The Holy Spirit spoke to him, and he began praying in tongues and reading his Bible every day.
When he did this, something began to happen to his wife. She became as spiritually “turned on” as he was. In addition, he and his wife became assistant pastors and God has prospered them financially. The turnaround started when the husband made Jesus master and believed that He could take them through their challenging situation.
Stand Until You Win!
Prayer is the foundation for everything. Establish Jesus’s authority in your household through prayer. In Exodus 17:8-13, as long as Moses’s hands were raised in prayer, the Israelites won the battle. Yet, when Moses became weary and his hands came down, the Israelites would begin to lose.
As Spirit-filled people of faith, we have the Holy Spirit to hold up our hands—to strengthen us as we pray and stand against the enemy of our families and homes. If you refuse to give in to discouragement, you and your family will win.
Jesus has given you authority over the enemy. In John 14:12, Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. Ask, believe, and take the God-given place of authority over your house.
Build Your Child’s Confidence—Six Godly Ways
Whether your children are young or old, obedient or rebellious, confident or insecure, you can build them up by expressing your love! Establish a weekly, 10-15 minute time with your family to tell each person what you love and appreciate about them.
- Say, “I love you. I’m delighted God gave you to me.” (See Mark 1:11.)
- Identity enjoyable character traits. Verbalize your appreciation for each child’s personality type. (See Proverbs 31:26; Psalms 49:3.)
- Praise your children when they act appropriately. (See Proverbs 12:18.)
- Build confidence by affirming, “God made you. He loves you. You are God’s treasure to me.” (See Psalms 139:14.)
- Reinforce their potential, “God has a special plan for your life.” (See Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10.)
- Introduce children to their heavenly Father—the only perfect parent. Teach your children Who God is, what God thinks, and how God acts. (See Deuteronomy 6:5-9; Psalms 34:11-14.)
