Biblical Manhood

Last Wednesday we addressed the subject of manhood. As I suspected the ladies enjoyed this subject a lot more than the guys present. We began by saying, "Every problem in the home, church, and society can be connected at some point to a failure of male leadership."

We then traced this problem back to Genesis 3 and discussed our responsibility as men to lead, provide, and protect. Dr. Randy Stinson, the director of the Council On Biblical Manhood and Womanhood writes,"The Bible, when giving specific instruction and admonition to men, usually does so within three key categories: leading, providing, and protecting."

Our discussion ended with ways in which we can cultivate masculinity in our own lives. I suggested that we make sure that we are always inconveniencing ourselves for the sake of others (sacrifice) and that we repent of whinny and complaining attitudes so common among wimpy men.

I also want to recommend to you an article out of the Winter 2006 issue of Southern Seminary's magazine, The Tie, titled "Show Yourself a Man." In the article Randy Stinson, who is also a professor of counseling at Southern, give the following suggestions for cultivating masculinity.

Do the hardest task first
Attacking your hardest task of the day without delay will build your resistance to passivity. Waiting until the end of the day only reinforces your sinful tendencies toward passivity.

Make the hard phone call first
While this is similar to the first suggestion, it deals more with passivity within interpersonal relationships. Some men are willing to do the hard task first, but avoid difficult situations involving other people.

Run to the battle
One only needs to consider the life of the Apostle Paul to see that conflict is a regular feature of the Christian life. Men who think all conflict should be avoided, or who refuse to engage with those who would harm the body of Christ or their family, not only model passivity but fail in the area of protection.

Do your work now as opposed to later
From term papers to tax filing, the man who is cultivating biblical masculinity will not allow these things to rule him. He will exercise dominion over them by doing them in a timely manner.

Keep your domain in orderWhile most of us on occasion have a messy desk or car trunk, a life that is characterized by disorder is evidence of passivity. Your home, dorm room, garage, office and car should bear the mark of your masculinity as you subdue it and keep it in order.

Kill a bear or a lion
In other words, do something that is a challenge for you. It may actually be to kill a bear or a lion, but it may be a health challenge like running a triathlon or a marathon. It may be something as basic as riding a roller coaster or as edgy as snorkeling with sharks. It may involve debating the atheist at work or starting a Bible study at home. It may mean you need to finally share the gospel with your lost friend or deal with a family conflict that you have allowed to go on for too long.