Act Like a Man: 9 Ways to Punch Life in the MouthSample

Man: Own Your Identity

Men in today’s world are under attack and masculinity is considered “toxic.” Over the next 10 days, we’re going to focus on the men. Godly men bless women and children and the entire family benefits. We’re going to encourage men, uplift men, speak truth over men, and challenge men. God created men for specific purposes and roles that only they can fulfill. This truth is foundational for men to understand their identity.

Men, you are the Father’s son. As the Father’s son, I know that I live and work from His love and not for His love. I know that our relationship, and His commitment to me, are at the starting line of our walk through this life together. I know that His relationship with me begins with grace, and that gives me courage, hope, and freedom to live a passionate life with the Father’s blessing and help.

Since many men do not have a healthy relationship with an earthly father, they do not understand their identity in relationship to their Heavenly Father. We live in a world that is broken, confused, and flawed. As a man, nearly everyone and everything has lied to, discouraged, and confused you.

You have been told that a strong man of God is a problem. That is a lie from the Father of Lies to discourage our Father’s sons. You are part of His solution. When God decided to change the world, He became a man because men matter and men of God are part of the solution for our fallen, broken, deceived, dark, and foolish world.

What is a man? Why did God make you a man? And what does God have for you as a man?

A good, godly man filled with and led by the Holy Spirit blesses women and children, is not confused about himself, and isn’t overbearing and domineering. He’s loving and present, his wife feels secure, and his kids love him. This kind of man will stand up for his family and kneel down for his Lord.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 to “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong. Your every action must be done with love.” A man is to be both lion and lamb, and Jesus shows us how to be both. Women feel safe around Jesus, and children flock to Jesus because He’s loving. The book of Revelation also describes Jesus as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” as well as “the Lamb who was slain.” To be a man like Jesus is to be a lion for women and children and a lamb with women and children. If you’re always a lion, you’re going to harm women and children because you’re unsafe. If you’re only a lamb, you’ll be a weak coward and let someone else harm women and children as you avoid conflict and hardship. The goal is to stop bad guys but not to be a bad guy.

My hope is this study serves and blesses you because you matter. Your life matters. Your marriage matters. Your kids matter. Your grandkids matter.

How do you view your relationship with your father? How about your Heavenly Father?