Mistakes happen. But, what if you never owned up to yours? As a husband and dad, you can’t go around pointing fingers at your wife and kids. Instead, let’s get in the game and make things right. Matthew 5:21-26 teaches us what to do instead of getting angry or making things worse. #1 Own it completely. You shall not murder…But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus connects anger and insults with murder, warning against calling someone “empty-headed.” Jesus says that it’s not just words/actions, but your heart that matters. You’re gonna make mistakes, own them without excuse. #2 Apologize quickly. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you…First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. In 5:23-24, Jesus commands us to make things right immediately, even before worship. Hello, dad driving the van to church! If you’ve hurt your wife/kids, don’t wait—go to them, admit your wrongs, and make things right. #3 Go above and beyond. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court…I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. In verses 25-26, Jesus’s out-of-court settlement example stresses going above and beyond to reconcile. The last penny was one of the smallest coins in Roman currency (1/64th of a denarius). The point: Go the extra mile to make things right, no matter the cost.

10 Bible Verses About Success: Success in God’s eyes isn’t about wealth, power, or position—it’s about trusting and obeying Him. The Bible reminds us that real success comes when we align our plans with God’s purpose and live by His principles. From Abraham’s faith to David’s courage, Scripture shows us that success is found in humble obedience and unwavering trust. As husbands and dads, we lead best when we let God define our success, focusing on eternal rewards rather than fleeting accomplishments.

Gary Chapman: “I wish I’d known that apologizing is a sign of strength. I had the impression that if you apologize, it’s a sign of weakness. I kind of picked up the message from my father, ‘Real men don’t apologize. You just do your best, and if you happen to hurt some people, that’s their fault. You just go on. Don’t apologize. That’s a sign of weakness.'”

Stephen Covey: “It takes a great deal of character strength to apologize quickly out of one’s heart rather than out of pity. A person must possess himself and have a deep sense of security in fundamental principles and values in order to genuinely apologize.”

John Wayne: “There is right and there is wrong…you do one and you are living. You do the other—and you may be walking around, but you are as dead as a beaver hat.”

Whatever it takes. Anger can damage your relationship with God and others, which is why Jesus teaches we must make things right immediately. The door of delay allows time and circumstances to worsen the situation. In this case, delayed obedience is disobedience. You can make a bad thing worse. Don’t wait—run to your wife and kids, admit the wrong, and fix it. God’s grace covers you, but your role is to set the example in your home by making things right. Do everything in your power to reconcile. That’s what you’re called to do. Let’s go!

Kent Evans
Author of Don’t Bench Yourself, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

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