BIBLICAL MASCULINITY!

I mean God having given direct instruction to man, recording and overseeing His Word that is, how could anyone think differently?

A Psychologist once stated that “No Culture will ever rise above its standard of men.” Meaning that despite what Hollywood movies may push, or regardless of a communities faith, or religion, that where the men don’t stand, soon the women and children, in said community, will become vulnerable?

Statistics suggest that:

25 million children live without a father. 

Of grades 1-12, 40% of children live without a father in the home.

Over 50% of children are born outside of marriage.

Teen girls from fatherless homes are 4 times more likely to become mothers before age 20.

85% of Inmates grew up in fatherless homes.

85% of children with behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.

90% of youth who run away and become homeless come from fatherless homes.

300% of children without fathers are more likely to deal drugs, and carry weapons. 

And so as believers, in this fallen world, yes the very one you wake up in everyday where “the god of this age” opposes everything Biblical, do we understand why there is such an attack on manhood? And not just manhood, but Biblical manhood?

Why are men tore down in books, film, song, and all sorts of movements? Presented as Al Bundy, Homer Simpson or whoever, barely getting their act together, normally the butt of all jokes, or as of late, pushed to act more feminine, where it is ok to win womens beauty contests, women of the year events, so long as it pushes all that is female?

Do you know that no where in scripture, meaning out of Gods mouth, does God call a man to act like a woman?

Instead The Apostle Paul calls all males in 1 Cor 16:13 to “act like men.”

Because first and foremost, that is who we are, not because of what we chose, but because The Creator, “made them male and female“, and “He saw that it was good.“

This also means that we have a specific role and purpose in this life, different than, yet complimentary to how God made females, who are just as equally to be celebrated, as they too are “made in His image.”

While this is one of the defining and dividing topics within culture today, consider:

Who is generally taller, men or women?

Who is typically stronger, genetically, without the use of weights, hormones, or help?

Who is generally hairier?

Who is biologically designed to receive a seed, carry a baby, deliver it from where no man ever has, and who can then sustain the child with food produced by her very own body?

In light of this, Gods Word tells us in Proverbs 13:20 “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” And this isn’t just talking about material things, physical things, but this even pertains more seriously, to spiritual inheritance. A spiritual legacy, or standard, lived out and expected to continue bearing witness long after Grampa or even Dad has passed. Don’t you remember what your Grampa and Dad stood for? The things they both said and did, or even were willing to die for?

Judges 2:10 states that “After that generation died, (Meaning their fathers and leaders) another generation grew up who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” 

So because the prior generation didn’t train them up – didn’t model their faith – didn’t raise a standard, or bear witness, there was no legacy, framework or direction for the Next Generation.

Judges 17:6 tells us “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.“ Exactly like today, where Culture is not only opposed to God, but assaults His very design daily. 

Gods Word says “Let us make man in our image”, but Evolution is taught as fact.

“He made them male and female”, but kids at age 3 are being forcefully taught otherwise.

1 Cor 7 talks about “sexual immortality” outside of marriage, but books to 6 years olds aim to indoctrinate their minds with all sorts of perversion, lust, being encouraged to follow your feelings!  

And while this has become the norm, it would do us well to see what God says when generations forsake His direction.

Ex 20:5 “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers leaders on the children, on the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me.”   

Note that God is not saying a son will be punished for a father’s sin as Deut 24:16 says, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone will be put to death for his own sin.” 

He’s not talking about individual punishment for Dads sin as though if my son or I sinned today, it would affect the other, but when men don’t stand, the next generation is vulnerable.

Deut 5:9-10 “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.“

Repeatedly, God is declaring that there is a difference between “those who hate Me” and “those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Obviously, one group will be “trained up in the way they should go” while the other won’t, falling into corrupt ways with no direction.

And so we may ask, what do we as men, called to “act like men”, do about this?

Is it about being strong, tough, bold, getting rowdy, and loud, like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood or Charles Bronson who were celebrated by the generation before? 

Riding into battle, punching a few people and laying down the law of the land? 

And while you may find noble or even funny things in John Wayne movies, like throwing that kid into the pond in that one movie, or find humor in one of my dads favorite movies “The Quiet Man”, no movie star, cultural icon or trending influencer is the role model! 

Only Jesus is! Only Jesus is the perfect example of Gods Man!

And what did Paul tell us earlier, and through out the rest of 1 Cor 16:13-14?

“Be watchful; stand firm in the faith; act like men; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1. “Be watchful” – Danger is everywhere – expect opposition – but also know your own weaknesses!

2. “Stand firm in the faith” – Don’t waver in your Faith, Belief and Convictions.  

3. “Act like men” – Specific – our call – living out your role – hold your office – be who God made you to be.

4. “Be strong” – Conduct ourselves in a courageous way. Taking up Our crosses!  

And what is it that balances this call to be strong?

5. “Do everything in love.” 

Because there are a lot of people right now thinking they are being Strong or Tough, but are they also being loving, or just blasting people, as a clanging cymbal? Pointing out issues on the offensive without compassion or empathy, even as The Lord was moved?

As Pauls words above present the picture of Gods man, a Man of Conviction, Courage, and Endurance. Marked by love! 

“No greater love than a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

“Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church, and gave Himself up for her.” Eph 5:25.

Because A Man, Husband, Father, Grandfather simply by following Gods blueprint for a man creates a place for his wife, children, family and friends to thrive and flourish in their identity.

And this is what Culture opposes, just like in the garden, where the serpent asked “did God really say?” Which should of prompted Adam to “act like a man”, stand in his office and reply “Yes God did really say! In fact, “it is written”, instead of allowing the roles to be reversed where in he followed Eve’s lead, even as she was first enticed by the serpent.

See Adam didn’t honor God the Father, stand in his office, proclaim truth, cover his wife, set the standard.

And so God hammers down on this through out the rest of the Old Testament. 

In Deut, Moses when passing the mantle on to Joshua, in Deut 31:6 charges Joshua to… 

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them” – meaning the opposition – “Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous.” What an amazing charge as Moses is transferring leadership and charging Joshua.

Or in 2 Samuel 10:12 as Joab is encouraging Israel as forces were coming against them. In Vs 12 Joab likewise says “Be strong, and let us show ourselves Courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight.” To be strong not just for themselves, for for their people and the cities of God. And I love that they are not even praying for the Lord to do what they think, but that God would “do what is good in His sight.”

Again in 1 Kings 2:1 David addresses his son Solomon as David’s time to die draws near, saying, “I’m going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, show yourself a man.” How radical does that even sound nowadays? “Be strong… Show yourself a man?” Imagine hearing that from a tv commercial, sit com or from a cultural leader? “Keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written” now consider that, to live by way of what is written, the lamp unto our feet!  

Even in 1 Chron 22:11 as David calls for Solomon to build the house of God, he declares “you will prosper, if you’re careful to observe the statues and ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid of discouraged.” 

Notice the constant call to “Be strong and courageous”? As opposed to Adams response?

All of these decrees assume their devotion to God is going to be tested, by way of enemies and opposition to The Truth, just like for us today. Wether in conversation, school, college, universities, politics, even church. Yet we are to be clear and direct about testifying to what is true.

And note what God promises, as Moses passes the baton to Joshua… Joshua 1:5 “Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.” This is God speaking! “6 be strong and very courageous.”

Vs 5 affirms that God will be with all who are called to fulfill His divine purposes, which men, is all of us, Eph 2:10.

And so we see, It is not happen stance that you and I are Gods men, called to be leaders in our homes, communities, and culture.

Do we see why this speech is repeated so many times? That this is the mark of a man! Of Gods man! 

That while Adam fled, we like Jesus are called to stand. That while Adam made excuses, blaming the woman, and even God, we as the very bride Christ died for are now to live as the standard in this world, standing on Gods Word, being the salt and the light, not hiding it under a bushel, but instead honoring God, and bringing Glory to His Name, as we love our brides, children and all who we encounter.

Men, it is all so very practical! Be Strong, Courageous, Stand, have Conviction for Gods Word! Walk in In love, being led by The Holy Spirit, as we live out The Great Co-mission.

So, Men “Act like men.”

For more on “Biblical Manhood”, click below for an Episode from The FOOLISHNESS PODCAST!