You Are In Charge!

  • I Timothy 5:14 “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house ,” (oikodespoteo)

God’s plan laid out here for younger women progresses from marriage to child bearing to child rearing. And when He comes to the child rearing phase, He uses a phrase that clearly describes a woman’s role of motherhood. Bear with me, please, for a moment while I break out my Strong’s concordance. This phrase “guide the house” is a single word – oikodespoteo. Now the oiko part is the “house” part, but let’s take a closer look at that second half of the word – despoteo. What is a despot? Well, Webster’s 1828 dictionary says that a despot is “an emperor, king or prince invested with absolute power, or ruling without any control from men, constitution or laws. Hence in a general sense, a tyrant.” Yes, God’s “will” for us mothers, even the “younger” mothers, is to be the despot in our homes. Now, surely God is not telling me, as a mother, to be an over-bearing egotist, is He? No, but God does mean for you, as a mother, to hold all authority for your children in your hands under your husband’s direction. He knows how easy it is for us to give decisions over to the children, not for their benefit but to relieve ourselves from the pressures of leadership without thinking about how that affects our followers. Accepting full authority and responsibility for our children most certainly is not the easy route, but it is God’s plan. 

So… 

God hereby crowns you the Tyrant of your home. 

You Are In Charge! 

Now Mama, I don’t care if you have a terrible two or a budding tween or whatever other twaddle this present world’s philosophies throw at us. 
You Are In Charge! 

Sure, you have a heart of gold, but you’re also going to grow a backbone of steel, because…
You Are In Charge! 

‘But, you’ve not met my little princess. She’s a real tyrant.’ So get out your crown and be a bigger Tyrant!
You Are In Charge! 

If your son’s morning chores aren’t done, then that son may have his playtime after they are done and done the right way.
You Are In Charge! 

If two kids are squabbling over that toy again, then the Tyrant removes said toy for as long as the Tyrant deems necessary.
You Are In Charge! 

Yes, you love your children and only want to use that authority for their best interests, but don’t forget…
You Are In Charge!
 

‘I’m not sure I know how to be a good Tyrant.’ Quick, get some on-the-job training! Ready or not, the crown already rests on your head.
You Are In Charge! 

Guide your house in love and wisdom, but never turn that God-given crown over to your juvenile subjects.
You Are In Charge! 

This may come across as harsh, but many young mothers have let their hearts deceive them into accepting their children’s sins, confusing gentleness with permissiveness. God never intends mothers to be cruel or oppressive, but he most certainly does intend for you to be In Charge!