Colossians 3:20 “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”
The family is the first institution God created. Before there was a church, a tabernacle, or a government, there was a man and a woman joined together under God’s authority. The health of a home determines the health of a church, and the strength of a society. For the Spirit-filled believer, passivity in the home is not an option. We are called to be proactive, to lead, guide, and guard the family with spiritual urgency and holy intention.
Imagine a man tasked with guarding the city gates. One day, he notices a stranger trying to enter, but the man is dressed well and speaks kindly, so the gatekeeper lets him pass without question. Over time, trouble stirs within the city. The people grow restless. Strange teachings begin to circulate. And only then does the gatekeeper realize he allowed the enemy in, not with force, but with charm and deception. The damage was done, not because the guard was malicious, but because he was not watchful.
This is the danger of a passive home. The devil doesn’t always come in through the front door. Sometimes, he enters through the television, the phone, the music, or even unchecked attitudes. Fathers are called to lead, not just to provide physically, but to protect spiritually. A proactive Pentecostal father watches what comes into his home, what ideas are being embraced, what habits are forming in his children. He sets the tone for worship, not just on Sunday, but every day of the week. Mothers are not exempt from this responsibility. Together, parents are gatekeepers, charged with the sacred duty of preserving the atmosphere of holiness in the home.
Paul speaks first to children in Colossians 3:20, but the instruction presumes the presence of godly parents who lead by example. When a child sees a father kneel in prayer, when they hear a mother speak truth in love, when they live in a home where the Spirit is welcomed and the Word is honored, obedience becomes a joyful act, not a forced command. But this doesn’t happen by accident. It takes daily discipline, heartfelt humility, and spiritual resolve.
Being proactive in the family means more than attending church, it means being the church at home. Praying before meals, blessing your children before school, creating space for conversation and correction. It’s in these moments that lasting faith is formed. The Spirit-filled home is not just a quiet one, it’s one where Christ is King. This kind of home resists the drift of the culture and stands firm in the storm because it is anchored in God’s Word and guided by His Spirit.
The family is the training ground for all other ministry. If we are careless here, we will be ineffective everywhere else. A proactive Pentecostal doesn’t wait until there’s a crisis to start praying. He or she is already on their knees. They’re already guarding the gates. They’re already teaching, shaping, and leading, not perfectly, but purposefully.
Application
Examine your role in your family today. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or even a single believer, you influence someone. Ask yourself: Am I leading spiritually, or just surviving day to day? Identify one way you can become more proactive—maybe it’s starting family devotions, reestablishing prayer times, or setting better boundaries around media and entertainment.
Reflection
- Am I actively guarding my home from spiritual compromise?
- Are my children seeing an example of godly leadership in me?
- What am I allowing in my home that grieves the Holy Spirit?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of family. Help me to be faithful in the role You’ve given me. Teach me to lead with wisdom, to guard with discernment, and to love with the heart of Christ. Forgive me for the times I’ve been passive or distracted. Fill our home with Your presence. Let Your Word be our foundation and Your Spirit our guide. May our house be known as a place where Jesus is exalted and the enemy has no place. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
