It used to be said in England that “Every man’s home is his castle, and the King himself need knock before asking entrance.” I have traveled in England several times in the last few years. England is noted for its castles. I have visited a few. Here are my observations.
They Were Well Fortified
Most castles either were built on a hill or were surrounded by a moat, a body of water similar to a canal. You needed to cross a bridge to get to the castle.
For our homes to be functional and successful, they too need to be fortified with love.
Not just any love will do. It must be Jesus’ kind of love-the kind that gives and sacrifices and suffers without complaining and feeling sorry for oneself. (John 13:34).
There are many enemies threatening our homes in an effort to destroy them. Selfishness, ill will, and hatred are the worst. When Jesus’ kind of love pervades the home atmosphere these enemies are held outside at a safe distance. The moat that surrounds our house is God’s Word, the Bible. The drawbridge is God’s truth.
How is it in your home? What fortifications do you have? We live in modern times. The TV, radio, and Internet can all bypass the drawbridge. They become potential pipelines in bringing evil into our homes. They can subtly detract from our experiencing true love, contentment, and peace, with counterfeit sensuality, free love (it’s not free), hatred, and murder.
The number of dysfunctional homes is multiplying in America. Marriage vows are broken, commitments fail, paternal love is cold, and domestic violence of shocking proportions stings our ears. The home castle that once was invincible now lies in ruin. You ask why?
We have forgot God, truth, and righteousness. The words of the Prophet Isaiah fit our generation: “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left” (Isaiah 24:5, 6).
But there is hope. “Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Our God is ever ready to forgive and come to our aid and help us to be fortified with solid principles of truth. Read Jeremiah 29:11, 12. He will help us rebuild the castle and take control.
There Was an Order of Command
Every castle was ruled by a duke or an earl or the King himself. There were guards who patrolled the premise and kept a watchful eye on all the coming and going. Every occupant worked for the protection and safety of the gate.
Our homes need fathers who are responsible, who are actively providing leadership-fathers who care for the family are safety conscious. They don’t let their children play with knives, guns, or gasoline. They won’t expose their children to X-rated movies and videos. Free access to the Internet will be forbidden.
Successful leadership gives constructive teaching and discipline. It teaches cause and consequence. It shows the reward of diligence, honesty, trustworthiness, courtesy, and academic perseverance. Good leadership also prioritizes on relationships. The Scripture command for husbands to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25) and nurture their children (Ephesians 6:14) establishes a precedent of goodwill in the home. The enemy-partiality, favoritism, evil surmising, and imaginations-is routed when love, goodwill, and fairness fragrance the home atmosphere.
The husband who guards the home castle recognizes the contributing role of his wife. Her intuitive wisdom is sought and considered in all the major decisions. She is given freedom to exercise her feminine role in homemaking and social graces that give sparkle to life. The husband and wife who team together will win the conquest.
Art
The few castles I was in all had their art rooms. These were ancient paintings and sculptures of renowned historical events. There were scenes of beautiful landscapes, decorated with gorgeous sunrises and sunsets.
Every home castle needs its art. Primarily these are the children who grace the home. They are not brats and unwanted interferences. They are the welcome gems, jewels, and stars that adorn the crown of parenthood.
This is true only to the extent we embrace the Judeo-Christian teaching of one man, one woman joined together in holy matrimony. Psalms 127 and 128 describe the beauty of this scenario. Consider verse three of Psalm 128: “Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.” Isn’t that beautiful!
Contributing to this scene of beauty is order-a scheduled rising time, bedtime, and mealtimes. The family lives and functions together. They communicate. They share their plans, their experiences (both the good and the embarrassing ones). They learn from their own and each other’s mistakes. They develop and grow up together.
Dear reader, make your home a castle even if it is just a meager hut. Fortify it with truth and love! Command it with diligence and affection. Beautify it with obedient children. Heaven will tell the rest of the story!
by J Martin