6 Biblical Traits Of A Godly DadSample

Day 5 The godly dad understands biblical manhood.

There are four lies dads tell themselves. In our Bible studies, we call them “manhood myths”: 

Manhood Myth #1 > Men are always strong and don’t ask for help.

You've been told (or shown) this by your own dad or by Hollywood movies. I'm looking at you Clint Eastwood, Liam Neeson and Chuck Norris. 

Seriously, however, Satan uses Scripture to tell us a worldly lie. This is one of his most clever schemes; he tried it on Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11). It’s true men are called to be strong—strong leaders, strong husbands and strong fathers—yet, at the same time, we are called to be meek and humble. 

We must acknowledge God is our real strength and ask Him for help. The godly dad does what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

Manhood Myth #2 > Success is having more or doing better than others.

In his book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Don Miller describes success and finding meaning when he writes, "Nobody cries at the end of a movie about a guy who wants a Volvo. But we spend years living those stories, and expect our lives to feel meaningful."

Many dads are driven by success. You will have to re-train yourself toward God’s definition of success. 

Manhood Myth #3 > No one should impose his beliefs on anyone else.

Some believe their religion is a personal matter solely between them and God. After all, "you can't talk about religion or politics!" Well, at least you can't talk about Jesus. Mention Jesus and it gets weird. This can seem tricky. But here's the point: we must be careful that we aren't so afraid of what man thinks of us that we disobey God. 

Manhood Myth #4 > God wants us to always be happy. 

Philippians 4:12 says, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:4-13 shows God wants us to be happy, but he wants so much more than that for our lives. God definitely doesn’t want for us to seek our own happiness above everything else.

Beyond happiness, God wants us to have:

• Joy: v. 4. Joy is different from happiness in that joy is unconditional. You can have joy in all situations whereas happiness depends on your circumstances.
• Gentleness: v. 5. Gentleness means you have compassion for others. It puts others needs above your own (Phil 2:1-4).
• Peace: vv. 7, 9. Peace is an inner calmness because you trust God.
• Contentment: vv. 11-12. Being content means being satisfied with what you have, who you are, and all your circumstances— good or bad. (v. 6; Matt. 6:25-34).
• Relationship with God: (vv. 4-7, 13). This blessing is the reason someone can have all the rest: joy, gentleness, peace, and contentment.

When we trust him, he will bring us joy, peace, and contentment. Rather than seeking to make ourselves happy, we can seek to make other people happy.