This is a mirror of "Scriptural View Of Men" by Darwin Fish. i
Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man? ii
Introduction
Faithful men are those who take heed to God's Word, iii and they are particularly rare in our days. Most men, particularly false Christian men, are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, etc, iv and most men will go to hell; v because "they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved." vi
But, those who heed God's word, are "like Mount Zion which cannot be moved, but abides forever." vii The righteous man "will hold to his way, and he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger." viii True godly men, are not cowards, ix but stand fast in the faith, x act like men, xi and are strong. xii
I. Godly Masculinity
The Lord expects men to act like men. God said to Job, "Now prepare yourself like a man." xiii The Lord commands in 1 Corinthians 16:13, "act like men." xiv Jesus made women for a specific purpose, and He made men for a specific purpose. xv When these God ordained sexes fulfill God's design, they do not perform the same function. Women are the glory of man. xv Men are the image and glory of God. xv
As the glory of man, when a woman fulfills her God given role in submission to men, xvi she glorifies the man in her life, xvii and in this glorifies and pleases her Creator. xviii As the image and glory of God, when a man fulfills his God given role, xix he displays not only what God looks like. xx but also His character as well. xxi
Moreover, when a man acts not like a man, he rebels against his Creator. For example, it is an abomination to God for a man to wear women's clothing. xxii The Lord hates men who have sex with other men. xxiii And, the Lord describes it as a shameful thing when women rule over men. xxiv Although, there may be a time and place to cry like a woman in labor, xxv nevertheless, God expects men to act like men.
This truth is so profound that cowards go to hell, ix and so do the "soft." xxvi The Greek word translated "homosexual" xxvii in 1 Corinthians 6:9 is malakoi and literally means "soft." It is translated "soft" in the NKJV, KJV, and NAS in both remaining passages in the N. T. xxviii Soft men go to hell! Those "light in the loafers" will not inherit the kingdom of God.
What is it to act like a man? The ungodly Philistines knew what it was.
Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, you Philistines, that you do not become servants of the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Conduct yourselves like men, and fight! xxix
Here acting like a man xxx is described as being strong and courageous. Is this part and parcel to acting like a man? Yes it is. David's departing words to Solomon well describe what it is to act like a godly man.
Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: "I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn;" xxxi
How does David charge Solomon to "prove [himself] a man?" By being strong and taking heed to God's Word. This is similar to 1 John 2:14.
I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.
Paul told Timothy,
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. xxxii
And he exhorted him,
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. xxxiii
Godly masculinity is strength and courage, not cowardice and timidity. This strength does not originate in the flesh, xxxiv but rather this strength is in the spirit. As the Word says of John the Baptist,
So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel. xxxv
John the Baptist was so strong in the spirit that when Jesus spoke of John He sarcastically said,
What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? xxxvi
John was anything but a reed shaken by the wind! He was a man who lived in the barren Judean desert, wore camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey for his sustenance. xxxvii John was one rugged man.
In fact, speaking of John, Jesus also sarcastically said,
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. xxxviii
Camel's hair is not exactly silk laden, nor is eating locusts and wild honey the practice of those who love pleasure. xxxix Imagine having to eat locusts and wild honey for your daily survival, and along with this, having to deal with the extreme hot and colds of the Judean wilderness. A typical man would most likely be downcast and burdened simply with the task of survival. But John, who is recorded as the greatest man ever born, xl is not only not downcast, but finds strength to preach to the masses in the power of God. And, his message is no milk toast message. John cuts to the heart of the matter and calls it like it is.
Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." xli
Some Jews accused John of being demon possessed. xlii But, the truth is, John gave "the multitudes that came out to be baptized" the hard core reality of the Word of God. John was no reed shaken by the wind.
Did John "turn the crowd off" by calling them a bunch of snakes? No, the people rightly responded with, "What shall we do then?" xliii In other words, "Since we are a bunch of snakes, what should we do?" Such a response exemplifies faith. xliv Rejection of John's message would have simply been symptomatic of unbelief. xlv
John was a godly man, strong in spirit, and he's a good example to follow. This doesn't mean we have to live in the desert and eat locusts to be godly men, but we do need to be strong in spirit, as our Lord was and is.
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. xlvi
Paul commanded the Ephesians to "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." xlvii No doubt, women can and should be strong in the Lord, xlviii but how is godly masculine strength displayed?
II. In Authority
In the beginning, the Lord gave man dominion over the earth.
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." xlix
Some may argue that this authority over creation was given to "them," that is, male and female, and that it was not until the fall that the woman was placed under man's rule. l While it is true that God did give both the male and the female rule li over the earth, it is not true that Adam's authority over the woman did not exist until after the fall. Scripture declares that "Adam was formed first, then Eve." lii The order of creation established the order of authority between male and female, and this was before the fall, and before the above command. xlix
Moreover, some may argue that man's dominion over the earth xlix was lost via the fall. liii Scripture says no such thing, but rather confirms this supremacy long after the fall.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen - even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas. liv
The Lord has given man dominion over this earth, and he is responsible before God for all that he does lv and any consequences of his actions. lvi
Furthermore, in this sovereignty is the rule over men as well.
The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men. lvii
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. lviii
What does this dominion and authority have to do with godly masculinity? Whether it be in some rule over animals, men, or any aspect of authority in creation, men should act like men, be strong, and work righteousness and justice in the earth.
He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? lix
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. lx
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: "He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." lxi
Working justice and righteousness is what it is to know God. As the Lord said to Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah,
"Did not your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this knowing Me?" says the Lord. lxii
III. In The Home
A man has God given responsibility lxiii and authority in his home. This is evident in the wording of 1 Timothy 3:4-5 and 12.
. . . one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?) lxiv
ruling their children and their own houses well. lxv
Both bishops lxvi and deacons lxvii are required to rule their houses well. They are to be examples to the flock in how all men should rule their homes. lxviii They are to have their children in submission with all reverence, and even their wives "must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, [and] faithful in all things." lxix How could a man have such control over his household? Such command comes by being strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. xlvii
In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. lxx
Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. lxxi
When a man fears the Lord, he has the wisdom of God to rule his house well, lxxii and as he exercises godly authority in his home, the Lord will bless his work. lxxiii
IV. With The Wife
A man not only has the responsibility to provide for his family, lxiii to bring up his children in the training and admonition of the Lord lxxiv and be strong in this and not leave a child to his own destructive ways, lxxv but he is also accountable before God in how he deals with his wife.
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. lxxvi
Psalm 66:18 says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear." It is indeed iniquity to deal with one's wife without understanding. So, what is to be understood? Understand that the wife is the weaker vessel, lxxvi and that she is under a curse that particularly effects the marriage relationship; lxxvii and with this in mind, remember Proverbs 14:29 and 17:27.
He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly. lxxviii
He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. lxxix
A man who has understanding, a man who lives with his wife in an understanding way, is a man who is slow to wrath lxxviii and is calm. lxxx "A man of understanding walks uprightly," lxxxi and it is upright to deal gently with one's wife. lxxxii
Moreover, "the heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge," lxxxiii and,
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. lxxxiv
A godly man will seek to intimately know lxxxv and understand his wife and to draw out of her the deep counsels of her heart, so that he might deal with her in an understanding way, and in this, wash her with the pure water of the word. lxxxvi
In this gentle understanding, a husband submits himself in love to his wife, lxxxvii not in exchange of authority, or cowing down to her fleshly whims and desires, lxxxviii but in the strength of the Spirit of God, lxxxix he leads her into godliness and righteous living xc as he gives her the affection due. xci He is to "likewise" lxxvi submit himself to her, even to the point of suffering if she is physically abusive, for that is the context of the "likewise."
1 Peter 2:18-21 tells slaves to submit, even in the case of being beaten. xcii Then 1 Peter 3:1 tells wives to submit in like manner. Then He tells the husbands to live "likewise." If a man were to have such an abusive wife, he could live out Jesus' words in Matthew 5:39.
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. xciii
It takes a strong man to live this out!
V. In The Church
Not only has the Lord placed women in submission to men, xciv but there are certain men whom God has given "rule" in the church as well. As the writer of Hebrews wrote in Hebrews 13:24, "Greet all those who rule over you," and in Hebrews 13:7,
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
These men who rule are to be obeyed by the rest of those who follow Christ.
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. xcv
Also, 1 Timothy 5:17 says,
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. xcvi
Elders xcvii who rule well are those who hold fast the faithful word, xcviii rightly divide Scripture, xcix exhort and convict those who contradict, xcviii are not quarrelsome but patient, c yet rebuke sharply when needed, ci and contend for the faith. cii Such men are to be held in high esteem.
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. ciii
Whether a man rules well in the church, in his home, or in some other realm of God's creation, if he acts like a man civ and is strong in the Lord, xlvii he will find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.
My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. cv
a true church, P. O. Box 130, Moodys, OK 74444
1-800-HOW-TRUE; www.atruechurch.info
- December, 2001 ^
- Proverbs 20:6 ^
- e.g. Matthew 24:45-51; 25:21-23; Luke 12:42-48; 16:10-12; Revelation 17:14 ^
- 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ^
- Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:24; 1 Peter 3:17-18 ^
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ^
- Psalm 125:1 ^
- Job 17:9 ^
- Revelation 21:8 ^ ^
- Hebrews 3:6 ^
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 NAS ^
- Proverbs 24:5 ^
- Job 38:3; 40:7 ^
- NAS, Greek, andrizesthe, to conduct oneself in a manly way ^
- 1 Corinthians 11:7 ^ ^ ^
- see Scriptural View Of Women ^
- e.g. Proverbs 12:4; 31:23 ^
- 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 3:4 ^
- see below ^
- His image, Genesis 1:26-27; 5:1-3 ^
- Colossians 3:9-10 ^
- Deuteronomy 22:5 ^
- Genesis 19:1-24; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Psalm 5:5 ^
- Isaiah 3:12 ^
- Isaiah 42:14; Ecclesiastes 3:1 ^
- 1 Corinthians 6:9 ^
- NKJV, "effeminate" in KJV and NAS ^
- Matthew 11:8 and Luke 7:25 ^
- 1 Samuel 4:9 ^
- like men ^
- 1 Kings 2:1-3 ^
- 2 Timothy 2:1 ^
- 2 Timothy 1:7 ^
- although, it may very well display itself in the flesh, e.g. Hebrews 11:34 ^
- Luke 1:80 ^
- Matthew 11:7; see also Luke 7:24 ^
- Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6 ^
- Matthew 11:8 ^
- Luke 7:25 ^
- Matthew 11:11 ^
- Luke 3:7-9 ^
- Matthew 11:18; Luke 7:33 ^
- Luke 3:10 ^
- Luke 7:29-30 ^
- John 8:47 ^
- Luke 2:40 ^
- Ephesians 6:10 ^ ^ ^
- Proverbs 31:10-31 ^
- Genesis 1:28 ^ ^ ^
- Genesis 3:16 ^
- dominion ^
- 1 Timothy 2:13; see also 1 Corinthians 11:3 ^
- Genesis 3:1-19 ^
- Psalm 8:3-8 ^
- Proverbs 5:21 ^
- Revelation 11:18 ^
- Daniel 4:17 ^
- Romans 13:1 ^
- Micah 6:8 ^
- Proverbs 12:10 ^
- 2 Samuel 23:3 ^
- Jeremiah 22:15-16 ^
- 1 Timothy 5:8 ^ ^
- 1 Timothy 3:4-5 ^
- 1 Timothy 3:12 ^
- overseers, pastors, 1 Peter 5:2 ^
- literally servants ^
- 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3 ^
- 1 Timothy 3:11 ^
- Proverbs 14:26 ^
- Psalm 128:1-4 ^
- Job 28:28 ^
- Psalm 128 ^
- Ephesians 6:4; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ^
- Proverbs 19:18 ^
- 1 Peter 3:7 ^ ^ ^
- Genesis 3:16, see Scriptural View Of Women ^
- Proverbs 14:29 ^ ^
- Proverbs 17:27; see also Proverbs 18:2; James 1:19-22 ^
- Proverbs 17:27 ^
- Proverbs 15:21 ^
- Galatians 5:23 ^
- Proverbs 15:14 ^
- Proverbs 20:5 ^
- 1 Corinthians 7:3; Ephesians 5:28 ^
- Ephesians 5:26; Proverbs 10:13a ^
- Ephesians 5:21, 25 ^
- Romans 8:5 ^
- Galatians 5:16 ^
- Ephesians 5:23, 25-29 ^
- Proverbs 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 7:3 ^
- 1 Peter 2:20 ^
- Matthew 5:39 ^
- 1 Timothy 2:11-14 ^
- Hebrews 13:17 ^
- 1 Timothy 5:17 ^
- pastors, overseers, 1 Peter 5:2 ^
- Titus 1:9 ^ ^
- 2 Timothy 2:15 ^
- 2 Timothy 2:24 ^
- Titus 1:13 ^
- literally "fight," Jude 3; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ^
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ^
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 ^
- Proverbs 3:1-4 ^
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