As a father of three boys, I am often worried about how my sons will cope with the abounding wickedness we see across the world today. I recognize how challenging it will be for them to guard their hearts and minds against sin as they grow into young men. I couldn’t even begin to list all of the wickedness observed in the world today, as it will fill volumes of books. Yet, I am reminded that the scriptures teach us that there is nothing new about the sinful nature of humanity.

What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 BSB

Ecclesiastes goes on to say in chapter 3:14-15:

I know that, whatsoever Elohiym does, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and Elohiym does it, the men should fear before him. That which has been is now; and that which is to be has already been; and Elohiym requires that which is past.

Although, at present, demonic activity seems to be progressing quickly, rest assured the above verses are true, and these types of cultural sins and temptations have been around on earth in ages past in one form or another.

Other Torah observant fathers have faced these challenges before, albeit without the technology we have today, from Babylon to Ancient Greece and from Roman culture to modern cultures. So be encouraged, Yahuah was with those believers then, and He is with us today.

Righteous Sons Have Committed Fathers

As a father, I want to prepare my sons in the best way possible for their current challenges and the challenges to come. As a believer in Yahusha, I want to instill in them biblical morals and principles to lean upon as they face these challenges in the hopes that they make the best choices possible. Likewise, as any loving parent, I pray they make better choices than I did at their age and as young men.

I know that I don’t have all the answers, and I also know that with the generational gap, I don’t honestly know what it’s like to be in their shoes, walking in this wicked world in these trying times. What I do know is that the scriptures reveal Truth.¹ The Bible warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 to:

“Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”

HCSB

Therefore, as a father, I must always be on guard, knowing that evil is always seeking after my family’s hearts and minds.

Sin is indeed assaulting Fathers and sons from nearly every angle. In the United States, masculinity is broadly under attack, where being a strong male is shunned. The World expresses the idea that strong men are not welcome in our society except where we might need them for security, wars, and entertainment. After that, strong men are expected always to be passive, submissive, and weak. However, as men of God, the scriptures remind us in several passages to be strong, brave, righteous, and imitators of Messiah Yahusha at all times.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, nor be discouraged, for יהוה your Elohim is with you wherever you go.”

Yehoshua 1:9 TS2009

Of course, this does not refer only to the physical but also to the spiritual, as it relates to being a good father, a good son, and a righteous man of Yahuah. To prepare and combat these spiritual battles we face each and every day, scripture advises us to prepare ourselves daily for what may come.

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:10-12 HCSB).

Ephesians 6:10-12 HCSB

There is, of course, a time and a place for physical strength and courage required of any father in protecting their family, but what fathers and sons are predominantly facing in this culture pertains to the spiritual attacks we encounter daily from the world.

Fatherhood In The Age of Wokeness

What advice can I give fathers and sons in coping with the onslaught of wokeness, lawlessness, sexualization, and perversion the world is attacking believers with? I can only turn to the scriptures for guidance because, as Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches, we are not to lean on our own understanding and are to seek wisdom from Yahuah as James 1:5 instructs.

I couldn’t begin to list all the verses and stories in Scripture which express the wisdom of Yahuah of how a father should instruct and prepare his sons for the world. However, the Bible, as a whole, expresses the character of Yahuah as the perfect example of a loving father, which is an example in and of itself of how we are to guide our sons in life.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13 BSB

Here are a few particularly instructive and encouraging verses, which I hope fathers will read and pray about. Proverbs 13:25, Ephesians 6:1-4, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, Proverbs 20:7, Matthew 7:9-11, Colossians 3:21, Proverbs 3:11-12, Proverbs 14:26, Hebrews12:7, and 2 Samuel 7:14-15.

For what it’s worth, I know from the scriptures that fathers, as servant leaders of the household, must set the example of righteous living so that our sons can see us walking the walk and talking the talk of scripturally righteous living. If we fathers serve Yahuah with all our heart, mind, and strength, perhaps Proverbs 17:6 will truly become a reality in the fullness of time, which reads, “Parents are the pride of their children.”

Actions indeed speak louder than words. As my oldest son quickly approaches the age of 16, even though his youthful foolishness is often on display, I have observed that when it counts, the biblical principles I have tried to instill in him come to his mind and are revealed in his actions.

We Must Trust Our Righteous Heavenly Father

I know and trust that my Father Yahuah is at work in my sons.

Additionally, as it pertains to preparing my sons for coping with the abominable wokeness of the world, the book of Proverbs is very fitting for today. I choose to be open, honest, and blunt with my sons about many of the difficult topics written about in Proverbs. Although I feel uncomfortable discussing whores, harlots, and other more mature subjects, I know that the woke, perverted people of the world would not hesitate to discuss these things with my sons and implant a sinful point of view in their minds.

Therefore it is critical that my sons hear these topics from me, a God-fearing father, from a biblical perspective first — so that the truth is already rooted as a foundation in their minds. If we fathers remain diligent, disciplined, and dedicated to biblical righteousness — unrelenting in teaching biblical truths to our sons — then I believe we will one day hear a good report spoken regarding them and experience the father’s joy spoken of in 3 John 1:4:

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth”

FOOTNOTES

¹ Pontius Pilate famously asked Yahusha “What is truth?” Although philosophers come up short with a proper definition, the Scriptures are clear. There are three aspects from which we can measure Truth: Yahusha (John 14:6), the Word (John 17:17), and the Ruach HaKodesh or Holy Spirit (1 John 5:6).