We men have such potential to affect the spiritual well-being of our entire families. To this end, Gideon and Noah are an interesting study in contrasts for their effects upon their family.

23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

Genesis 7:23

Noah lived in a world that was evil and wicked and grieved the Lord. Noah stood out as one who was just and perfect and who walked with God (Genesis 6:9). This brought him the grace of God (Genesis 6:8) and he and his family were spared the death of the flood (1 Peter 3:20 & 2 Peter 2:5). While Noah's positive report saved him, we see that his family are not so described, yet are saved because of Noah. It is my observation that spouses and children of good people are most often also good, but Noah's wife, sons and daughters in law were saved regardless of their spiritual status and exclusively by Noah's good standing with the Lord.

27 And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.

Judges 8:27

Gideon was a good person and did many things right, to the extent that the Lord addressed him as a mighty man of valor (Judges 6:12). He obeyed the Lord, he led Israel to a victory over the occupying forces of the Midianites and then subsequently declined to be crowned king of Israel understanding that the Lord is the true king of Israel. Unfortunately, after all this, at the height of his success he made a mistake and called for treasure and goods from the now defeated Midianites, fashioning an ephod, a priestly garment, from it. This caused Israel to behave wickedly and further, had a powerfully negative effect upon him and his entire family (Judges 8:27).

Noah's steady and careful walk with the Lord saved both him and his family. Gideon's life started well, but then he made an avoidable mistake at the peak of his success that greatly troubled him and his family. No matter our circumstances, be they good or troublesome, we must keep our eyes on the Lord, staying close to him while avoiding subtracting anything of spiritual value and especially being careful not to add dubious and unnecessary things to our life. Do this not only for your own salvation, but because you are massively influential upon the spiritual well-being of your family.