Devils in their homes!

(Thomas Brooks, "A Cabinet of Choice Jewels" 1669)

A true Christian will endeavor to obey God in home duties. He will not only attend church, and pray, and read Scripture, and meditate, and fast-but he will labor to be godly in domestic relationships.

Remember this forever: What a man is at home-that he is in reality before God. Many make a great profession, and have great abilities and gifts, and can discourse well on any pious subject-whose homes are not little Heavens, but little Hells! Some are very much like . . .
  angels in public,
  saints in the church, and
  devils in their homes!

Domestic graces and duties better demonstrate true piety and godliness, than public or general duties do. For pride, reputation, love of praise, and a hundred other carnal ulterior motives-may cause a man to shine in the general duties of religion. But it argues both heart-sincerity and strength of grace, to be diligent and conscientious in the discharge of domestic duties.

This is the true reason why the apostles in their epistles so frequently, so earnestly, and so strongly, by variety of motives-press Christians to the performance of their home duties.

"Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." Colossians 3:20