“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” - Frederick Douglas

My heart is breaking with disappointment after reading articles about men of influence, even pastors, accused of sexual immorality or relieved of their leadership positions after years of faithful service in their communities.

A mother knows before men are leaders, they are sons. These fallen leaders are sons too and maybe raised sons of their own.

Our sons need our guidance and leaders need our prayers. I am reminded of the words of King Lemuel’s mother in Proverbs 31:1-3 warning her son: “The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings.” Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse is not an accusation against women but an admonition to leaders about the temptation of sexual immorality. His mother knew something about the type of company her son should NOT keep. Women who ruin kings occur when kings yield to temptation. When leaders choose to be influenced by people with wrong motives, they are accountable. When leaders forget their priorities, lack restraint, and misuse authority for personal gain or pleasure, they are accountable.

As progressive as the world may be, some patterns of leadership behaviors have not changed. Leaders disgraced by sexual immorality continues to plague the world at large. There are three vices parents should teach their children to avoid because they work against a victorious life:

1. Lust of the Eye (unhealthy lack of contentment, insatiable desire, pursuit of more material possessions)

2. Lust of the Flesh (seeking to gratify natural desires through impure means and catering to unhealthy appetites including sexual immorality, overconsumption, or fixation on pleasure)

3. Prideful Life (inward arrogance, being boastful, unteachable, resistant to growth, and lack of humility, reverence, or gratitude)

These worldly traps are strategically designed to destroy leaders. They infiltrate homes, businesses, academic institutions, governments and society at large. Anyone in authority can be susceptible to temptation and some fall victim to the allure when they are not prepared to stand against it. These same desires have been a snare to leaders of influence for centuries if they are not taught to guard their eyes/hears, keep clean hearts, and turn away from destructive behaviors.

Sadly, global history is replete with stories of leaders who yield or lose their power and position to sexual temptation. There is a silent cry for leaders to stand firm for righteousness.

“Talent will never be enough to raise men of standard; they must possess character.” - Rites of Passage: Raising Sons to be Men of Standard

Parents must equip and fortify sons by teaching them to be husbands, fathers, and leaders. Let us demonstrate to our sons that keeping the standard is a protection against these traps and attacks from the adversary. Know your REAL enemy…Let’s raise the standard!

#ritesofpassage
#leadership
#parenting
#RaisetheStandard