Building a house is simple enough. Building a godly home—a home worthy of God’s heritage—is another matter altogether! Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “Who is the architect of my home?”

The psalmist wrote, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psa. 127:1a). Christians should build their homes using the precepts of God’s word as materials. Unfortunately, the influence of the world is seen far more readily in many of our homes than the influence of God!

The wise man wrote, “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands” (Prov. 14:1). The Spirit instructed through Paul, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Unfortunately, too many parents are more than content to put the hammer and nails in Satan’s hands and are far too carnal to regret the results.

If we let Hollywood raise our children, who is building our home? If we turn our children over to the government, who is building our home? If we open our home up to every worldly influence and idea, who is building our home?

Parental decisions and actions, family harmony and unity and children’s dress and conduct are all indicators of where the family heart currently resides. Is your family a reflection of the world or is your family a reflection of God?

One of the most beautiful gestures I have ever seen in a marriage ceremony did not involve the exchange of rings, but the exchange of Bibles. The husband gave his new bride of copy of God’s word, clearly declaring the foundation their new home would be built upon. More of us need to realize the principle in such a gesture and once and for all decide to let God build, or rebuild as it were, our homes!

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