Something to think about...
"As a young man prepares for marriage, he needs to be confident that he has the necessary strength. Women are created by God to be led by a strong man, but marriage is disastrous when a man is not strong enough, or his strength is not biblically informed.
Part of the curse in Genesis is seen in how the woman desires to have mastery over her husband. When God tells Eve that her desire will be for her husband(Gen.3:16), this was not referring to romantic getaways. The phrase is virtually identical to the one found in the next chapter, when God warns Cain that sin wants to have mastery over him(Gen.4:7). On one level, women want to rule their husbands (as a result of the fall), but on another level entirely (because of created order), they have a deep desire to be protected and led by a man who is strong enough. A young man is not ready for marriage unless he knows this, and knows that he has sufficient horsepower to pull that load.
So an essential part of the preparation for a young man as he considers the cultural mandate is his training for marriage. Future men are future husbands. The foundation of respect here is a foundation of love. When we look at what God requires of men and women in marriage, we are looking at what fathers and mothers should be preparing their sons and daughters to do when they are grown. A boy should not grow up-however he manages that-and then when he gets engaged start worrying about how to be a good husband. Knowledge of what a godly husband is should surround him from the time he is a small boy. ..."
"...Fathers are therefore to discipline their sons on the path to manhood. They are to delight in their boys as they pass by certain milestones on the way to manhood, and they are to teach them as they walk along the way together. This is not easy."
These are not my words. They are written by Douglas Wilson, the author of the book I've been reading called Future Men. It's an excellent, excellent book. I recommend it if you have sons or even if you don't, it's still a good read. It's been giving me alot to chew on lately, especially the chapter on mothers and sons. He covers many topics and explains when and how a boy should 'fight', very insightful.
The book is available here.
Blessings!
