Romans 8:12–17 says:
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
One of the most powerful voices in a child’s life is the voice of their father—not just the voice that disciplines or directs, but the one that encourages, blesses, and prays. And yet in today’s world, fatherhood is often misunderstood, mocked, or marginalized.
Our culture downplays biblical manhood. It tells men to sit down instead of stand up. It normalizes the absent dad, the passive husband, or the overworked provider who never steps into the spiritual role God designed for him.
But Scripture calls men to something higher.
God’s design is for fathers to be loving leaders—men who protect and guide their families not just physically, but spiritually. Men who are not controlled by anger, pride, lust, or fear, but are instead led by the Spirit of God. Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
That verse isn’t just a description—it’s an invitation. It’s a call for every Christian man, especially fathers, to surrender to the Spirit’s leadership in every area of life.
Your children don’t need a perfect father—but they desperately need a Spirit-filled one.
They may not remember all your answers, but they’ll never forget your example.
1. Spirit-Led Fathers Follow God’s Direction
A godly man isn’t driven by impulse, emotion, or pride. He’s led. Romans 8:14 uses the word “led” to describe the Spirit’s role in our lives—it’s not passive, and it doesn’t happen by accident. The man who follows the Spirit walks a surrendered, intentional path.
That means seeking God’s wisdom not just in big decisions but in everyday moments—how to discipline your kids, respond in conflict, handle finances, or encourage your wife. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” A Spirit-led father invites God into every step.
Astronauts in the Apollo space program constantly made course corrections. Even a one-degree deviation could result in missing the moon by thousands of miles. Likewise, our spiritual direction as fathers matters—small Spirit-led choices today can mean a vastly different future for our families tomorrow.
But to follow the Spirit, you must also forsake the flesh. Romans 8:13 reminds us that living according to the flesh leads to destruction. The man who walks by the Spirit kills sin before it kills him.
That means resisting the daily pull of selfishness, anger, laziness, or lust. You can’t walk both roads. Every day, you’re choosing between the path of the flesh and the path of the Spirit—and your kids are watching which direction you take.
2. Spirit-Led Fathers Embrace Their Identity
Romans 8:15–16 points to something foundational: identity. When a man truly understands that he’s a child of God, it changes how he leads, loves, and lives. We don’t serve out of guilt or fear—we serve because we’ve been adopted by a loving Father.
Paul writes that we’ve received the Spirit of adoption, by which we cry, “Abba, Father.” That phrase is intimate—more like “Dad” than “Almighty.” A Spirit-led man doesn’t relate to God like a slave who fears rejection but like a son who walks in assurance.
Men who live like sons—secure in God’s love—lead with grace. They discipline with patience. They worship with joy. They model a relationship with God that their children want to imitate.
A father’s spiritual intimacy teaches far more than lectures ever could. When children see their dad talk to God, sing praises, or seek wisdom from Scripture, they learn that God is real—and personal.
3. Spirit-Led Fathers Live for Eternity
Romans 8:17 reminds us that we are “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.” This world is not the end. A Spirit-led man lives with eternal purpose, even when life brings suffering.
There’s no promise that Spirit-led fathers will have it easy—only that the Spirit gives strength to endure. From financial strain to spiritual battles, godly men often carry heavy loads. But they carry them with hope.
The Spirit gives perspective. Like a runner who sees the finish line, the godly father keeps going—because he knows what’s waiting at the end.
Your children will notice how you respond when life doesn’t go your way. Do they see a man who panics… or prays? A man who reacts… or relies on the Lord?
When your eyes are fixed on eternity, your leadership takes on eternal weight. You’re not just raising kids—you’re pointing them toward heaven.
So, What Kind of Man Are You Becoming?
Being a Spirit-led man doesn’t mean you’re perfect. It means you’re surrendered.
It means you wake up each day with this prayer on your heart:
“Lord, lead me today. Help me love You more than my pride. Help me serve my family, resist sin, and walk in step with Your Spirit.”
Howard Hendricks once said, “The measure of a man’s spiritual life is not his public ministry, but his private character—especially at home.”
Your greatest sermon may not be spoken from a pulpit—it may be the way you treat your wife, how you respond to pressure, or the faith your children see when no one else is watching.
A man once said of his late father, “I don’t remember most of what he said—but I still hear the sound of him praying.” That sound became a legacy.
So, dad—who are you following?
Are you letting the culture, your emotions, or your past lead you?
Or are you letting the Spirit of God take the lead?
The good news is that it’s not too late. The Spirit doesn’t need your perfection—He wants your surrender. If you’re a believer, the Spirit of God lives in you. And if you’re not yet saved, He invites you into a new life today—one where you are no longer a slave, but a son.
Let’s raise up a generation of fathers who are directed by the Spirit, devoted to the Father, and driven by eternal purpose.
Your family needs it.
Your church needs it.
The world needs it.
Will you be that man?