Satan wants to be God, full stop. And, what is God’s primary way of identifying himself since the time of Jesus? As our father. If Satan can own (or abolish) fatherhood, he wins. He hates fathers, he hates the whole idea of fatherhood. So, dad, if you’re striving to be a godly, loving, Christ-honoring father, this means Satan hates you. I recently saw an article in a USA city newspaper where the writer proposed making parenthood illegal (no, he wasn’t joking). He suggested all our children should be forcibly given to the state in order to raise them. This isn’t a new idea. The concept that a country can do better than parents has been floated as long as there have been countries to float it. The underlying issue? The total annihilation of fatherhood (and motherhood, btw). All parental influence would be shelved. Parents would become merely a biological means to a nation-building end. My fellow dad warrior, don’t view this as a battle between political ideologies. View this as a war on fathers and mothers, because that’s what it is. It’s not us versus them, it’s us versus him. And, as you size up the battle, know this: “…he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4). In this passage, we’re reminded that we are to be discerning, wise and know the tactics of our enemy. This one is so easy to spot, it’s almost laughable. Almost.

3 ways being a workaholic impacts your family: According to a study at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, workaholics are 40% more likely to get divorced than the rest of the population. If you want to keep your family intact, it’s a good practice to leave the office on time.

We are not chained to our past, thanks to forgiveness and mercy: How we grew up can indeed affect our own fathering. Yet, we are not slaves to our past. Jesus taught us how to forgive, and He commanded us to do it. This is not so the offender gets “off scot free,” but so that we are not burdened by our past. How we address our own past can set the stage for how our children relate to God. God Himself has equipped us with all the tools we need to successfully lead our kids closer to Him, regardless of how we got to where we are now.

“It is much easier to do battle with society and with others than to fight our own nature.” – Dennis Prager

“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” – Margaret Thatcher

“To me, it has been a source of great comfort and strength in the day of battle, just to remember that the secret of steadfastness, and indeed, of victory, is the recognition that ‘the Lord is at hand.'” – Duncan Campbell, Scottish Evangelist

“No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.” – Colin Powell

Pray for strength. I recently finished my Advent Bible study. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Hasn’t Advent been over and done with for weeks. Yes, it has. So, I’m a bit behind, OK?! Anyhow, part of that study’s closing was to pray a prayer for 2022. One of the key things I asked God for in that prayer was STRENGTH. I know I’m in a battle. I know that, on my own power, I cannot win it. I also know that with God as my strength, I cannot lose it. Pray a prayer for God’s strength today! You are equipped for the battle!

Kent Evans
Author of The Manhood Journey, co-founder of Manhood Journey and Father On Purpose.

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.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.