Fatherhood: A Divine Mandate, Not a Cultural Trend
- darrellharlowcurti
- Mar 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 26
Fatherhood is not a trend. It is not something to be customized to fit personal convenience, cultural norms, or political correctness. It is not about race, color, or nationality. It is a divine calling—a responsibility assigned by God Himself.
The world has blurred the lines of fatherhood, telling men that their role is optional, that their presence is replaceable, or that masculinity is toxic. These are lies designed to weaken men and destroy families.
The truth is this: a father is not just important—he is essential.
God did not create fathers to be passive observers in their children’s lives. He called them to be leaders, protectors, teachers, and warriors for the souls of their children. If you are a father, you are not just raising kids—you are shaping eternity.
1. Fatherhood Is a Holy Command, Not a Lifestyle Choice
Society has tried to convince men that fatherhood is optional. That a man can choose how much he wants to be involved, that being a father is a personal preference rather than a sacred duty.
God's Word says otherwise.
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." – Proverbs 22:6
The command is clear: train your children. Not the school system. Not the government. You.
A child left without the firm hand of a father to guide them will grow up un-tethered, without direction. And a father who refuses to lead his home will answer to God.
The Price of Absence
We live in a fatherless generation, and we are paying the price.
85% of youths in prison grew up without a father.
71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.
Children without fathers are twice as likely to suffer from depression.
Boys without fathers suffer self-worth and self-esteem problems
A father who neglects his children is not just harming his own household—he is contributing to the collapse of a generation.
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
A father is not just a provider of money—he is a provider of wisdom, strength, protection, and faith.
If you are not leading your children, someone else will. And in a world filled with confusion, deception, and darkness, the enemy is ready and waiting to step into the gap.
2. Fathers Must Lead Their Families in Righteousness
A godly father does not just make sure his children behave—he makes sure they walk in truth. He leads by example, demonstrating what it means to be a man of faith, courage, and integrity.
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." – Ephesians 6:4
Your children will not learn righteousness from the world. They must see it in you.
A Father’s Role in Faith
A child is 50% more likely to attend church as an adult if their father leads spiritually.
Fathers who read the Bible with their children increase their children’s likelihood of staying faithful by 300%.
Children who see their father pray learn to pray.
The Bible is clear: a father’s role is to teach, discipline, and correct. That means…
You must open the Bible with your children.
You must pray over them.
You must model godliness in your actions.
You cannot expect your children to follow Christ if they do not see Christ in you.
3. Fathers Are the Spiritual Gatekeepers of the Home
Every home has a gate. It is either left open for the enemy to walk through, or it is guarded by a father who stands watch. Your role as a father is to protect. That means more than locking the doors at night or providing food on the table. It means guarding the hearts and minds of your children.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13
You must stand at the gate.
Stand guard against what comes into your home through the television, the internet, and social media.
Stand guard against false ideologies that try to steal your children’s identity.
Stand guard against influences that seek to replace God’s truth with the world’s lies.
If you do not stand at the gate, the enemy will enter.
What Are You Allowing?
Ask yourself:
Does your child know more about Hollywood than about Christ?
Does your child know more about TikTok trends than about Scripture?
Does your child spend more time being taught by the world than by you?
It is your job to teach them. It is your job to set the standard in your home.
If you let the world father your children, do not be surprised when they do not walk in faith.
4. Your Children Will Become What You Show Them
Fathers—you are your child’s first example of manhood. The way you love, the way you discipline, the way you serve shapes their understanding of what it means to be a man.
“The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!”
– Proverbs 20:7
What do your children see in you?
Do they see a man who prays?
Do they see a man who loves their mother?
Do they see a man who works hard and leads with integrity?
Or do they see a man who is passive, distracted, or absent?
Children do not just listen to their fathers. They imitate them.
If you want your son to be strong, be strong.If you want your daughter to know how a man should treat her, treat her mother with honor.If you want your children to follow God, you must follow God.
5. There Is No Excuse—Fatherhood Is Your Calling
Many men today say:
"I didn’t have a father."
"I don’t know how to lead."
"I don’t have time."
None of these excuses change God’s calling on your life.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
If you didn’t have a godly father, become one.If you don’t know how to lead, start with Scripture.If you think you don’t have time, make time.
The world does not need more weak men. It does not need more passive fathers who leave their children to be raised by schools, culture, and the internet. It needs strong, God-fearing men who will rise up and reclaim their families.
The standard is set. It does not change.
Be present.
Be strong.
Be righteous.
Be faithful.
Fatherhood is not a job—it is a calling. It does not end when your children grow up. It does not stop when things get hard. It is a lifelong responsibility given by God Himself.
Step up. Lead. Protect. Teach. Your children’s eternity depends on it.
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