Oh Man

After last week’s post about mending fences I was talking to one of my guy friends and he mentioned that it would be nice if I wrote something that was more applicable to men. After thinking about it I’ve decided to give it a go.

    Let me start by saying that real men seem to be lacking in our culture. A real man is one who follows God’s commands and seeks to do God’s will. He loves Jesus more than anything else in the world. The Bible gives direction for men and let me tell you, there is more to being a Godly man then leadership.

     Titus 2:6 gives one command to young men. Paul tells Titus “Likewise, urge the younger men to be self controlled.”  Matthew Henry expands on this passage by saying “Here is the duty of young men. They are apt to be eager and hot, thoughtless and precipitant; therefore they must be earnestly called upon and exhorted to be considerate, not rash; advisable and submissive, not wilful and head-strong; humble and mild, not haughty and proud; for there are more young people ruined by pride than by any other sin.”

    Have you ever noticed that with some boys when they hit puberty, or soon after, the thoughtful part of their hearts seem to shrivel up and die? Those little men who used to think it was cool to hold open doors for ladies or hug their mothers suddenly view girls more as a prize to be won instead of a sister to be loved. They have strong wills that believe that Dad is always wrong and they seek to fulfill any adventurous campaign that pops into their heads.

    Paul tells Titus that young men should be self controlled. I understand that guys want to look cool. Their egos are easily expanded and deflated. It just isn’t cool to spend an afternoon having coffee with your grandma or playing with the neighbour kids. It’s not acceptable to tell the other guys to stop when they use coarse jokes or to turn off the radio when a bad song comes on. The other guys won’t like it if you refuse to take the beer(s) and leave an immoral movie that not only contains sex but also takes God’s holy Name in vain. But Paul tells Titus that young men should be self controlled.

    I believe that self control is not only restraining yourself from doing evil but also forcing yourself to do good. Self control does not only mean you don’t get drunk but that you gladly open a door or help a friend fix his car. It means looking for ways to help your brothers and sisters in Christ. It means respecting your father and loving your mother. It means that instead of being flirty you try to encourage your sisters in Christ toward godliness.

    The only way to do any of these things is through God’s grace. Because of God’s grace the Holy Spirit lives in you and He will make you the man you are supposed to be. He will transform your life from one of disorder to one of structure. He will help you in this command to be self-controlled. Do not be discouraged. Remember that along with this command there is the assurance of James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

   

Here’s just a note from a sister in Christ, noble knights that seek to honor the Almighty King. Don’t give up on your quest to be godly, self-controlled men who seek Gods glory above all else. Your efforts are approved by the Great King Himself. If you repent and seek to do His will you truly are His sons and one day you will succeed in this adventure. It may not be in this life but one day, if you continue, you will stand before God and He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matt. 25:23)