It's not popular to be manly anymore. It's not even popular to be a man.
More and more, our culture is coming to reject manliness. And not only are we rejecting manliness, but we are also rejecting the virtues of true masculinity; we are rejecting the very idea and identity of being male.
But Christians understand that maleness and masculinity are some of God’s best gifts to His world.
God has blessed mankind with two distinct, yet equally valuable genders: Men and Women; Males and Females.
And within those equal, yet distinct genders, God has placed fixed differences; differences that are for His glory and our good.
But, the world has chosen to reject the Creator in order to worship the creature and other created things. And the Bible is clear about what takes place when such a rejection happens…
Romans 1:21-23 - “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”
So, while the world runs away into the unbelief of sin, it is more important than ever for Christians to stand firm upon God’s Word and to stand for the goodness of His creation.
And one of those places that we must take our stand in this generation is Manliness; real, godly, biblical manliness. Because, contrary to what our culture is trying to push,
True manliness is not toxic, it's life-giving.
True manliness is not oppressive, it's protective.
True manliness is not abusive, it's restorative. Manliness is a gift from God to His created world, and when men act like men, when they live out true manliness, everyone benefits.
This is something I seek to teach and demonstrate for my own sons, who are currently 12 and 9. They’re not growing up in a world that celebrates manliness; they’re not going to see the masculine virtues valued and celebrated in the larger culture.
Movies, TV shows, and books no longer celebrate the male hero who stands for justice and fights the bad guys. In fact, my boys are going to see and hear the exact opposite. So now, more than ever, fathers must demonstrate and teach their sons how to be true men. Churches must take up the responsibility of not only teaching biblical manliness, but also of living it out.
I’ve got to own my personal responsibility to teach my boys what a man is, and I’ve got to show them how to be men.
I’ve got to make my boys into men in a world that hates manliness.
Here are four masculine virtues that I am seeking to model and teach my sons:
These come from Robert Lewis’ book, Raising a Modern Day Knight.
The Masculine Virtues
A Real Man…
1- Rejects Passivity.
“Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” - Romans 12:2
2 - Accepts Responsibility.
“Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be men of courage, be strong.” - 1 Corinthians 16:13
3 - Leads Courageously.
“But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:15
4 - Expects the Greater Reward.
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” - Revelation 22:12
"Be a Man!" - The Apostle Paul
Now, more than ever, Christian men must take up the call to be true men, godly men, and masculine men. We need real men leading in every area of life:
Men who believe and teach the Gospel;
Men who live and love like Jesus;
Men who are serious about the Bible;
Men who will take up the call of servant-leadership;
Men who lay down their lives for the families;
Men who accept and embrace their responsibility to be men;
Men who love women well;
Men who lead in the home and in the Church;
Men who protect the vulnerable;
Men who are not passive;
Men who father their children;
Men who are strong and courageous;
Men who lead in the culture;
Men who stand against oppression and lies;
Men who are virtuous;
Men who are self-controlled;
Men who are not afraid to be men;
Men who raise boys;
Men who shepherd daughters;
Our world needs strong, masculine men.