From the time we're small boys, we begin learning what are and aren't the ways of a "real man." Society has many ideas about masculinity, but as a man of faith, you might wonder, do God's word and our society have the same or similar ideas about manhood?
It's often hard to adhere to Christian values in a world that seems to move contrary to the words of the Bible. So, what does it mean to be a manly man of God? We'll take a closer look in this brief article that covers lessons from the holy scriptures about masculinity.
Joshua 1:9 - "Be strong and courageous."
Being strong and courageous is a direct command from God to men, but did you know your strength and courage are affected by chemicals in the body, namely testosterone? Indeed, with time, testosterone production in men decreases, and they begin to lose some of the vigor that made them strong and courageous in their youth.
The good news is you can recover that vigor with testosterone supplements. Research online to find the best testosterone supplements for your needs. Look for supplements made of all-natural ingredients and with a low occurrence of mild side effects. It's also wise to seek medical advice from your physician before beginning a testosterone regimen.
Mark 10:45 - "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve."
Another hallmark of biblical manhood is a willingness to serve others. The scriptures talk about how Jesus Christ, being a king in his own right, was a servant to those under his charge. So, even if you wear clergy attire and are the top authority in your church, your heart should be turned to serve those in your congregation and not merely lead.
Not only are men called to be servants, but it's best to serve in a modest fashion. You don't have to sing your own praises because when you serve others, they'll do that for you. Remain humble and be open to helping others any way you can. Sometimes, it will mean rolling up your sleeves and doing the dirty jobs no one else wants to do, and sometimes, it will simply mean being a listening ear for others on their journey of faith.
Titus 2:6 - " ... encourage the young men to be self-controlled."
As you know, young men are full of testosterone and have high energy levels, making trouble easy to find and hard to get out of. However, the Bible says you should encourage young men to be self-controlled. Indeed, one of your most important responsibilities as a man of faith is to be an example of manly godliness for the young men in your congregation. It's your job to show them manhood is about self-control and not muscle mass.
Corinthians 5:7 - "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Finally, men of God walk by faith rather than sight. That means they remain faithful to their beliefs and hope in spite of evidence of the contrary. There will be times when it's easier to believe your eyes rather than your faith, but that's why it's important to keep your eyes on the prize.
As you can see, society and the scriptures have different ideas of manhood. Many men love the scripture, "Be strong and courageous," but that's not all the Bible says about manhood. The Bible also says men should serve rather than seek servitude from others. The Bible also encourages men to be examples of self-control for other young men. Finally, the Bible instructs that men of God walk by faith rather than sight.
Indeed, the Bible holds men to a high standard, but your faith is all you need to answer the call. It's not about being a macho man so much as it is about being a great example for your family, church, and community and positively impacting those around you. So, whether you're clergy or a layman, your mission is the same.
