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http://ConcerningTheTimes.com There is a narrative that is drilled into our heads every day by pop-culture, the media, Hollywood, and even people in our own circles. The broad summary of the narrative is this: All men are pretty much alike and they all live and behave in the same way. I suspect that I'm not alone in my belief that the world's idea of what a real man is couldn't be more flawed. As a Christian man, I want to expose the world's notion of manhood for what it is, a lie. I also want to encourage brothers in Christ everywhere to live out authentic manhood in the end times.
Men, we live in dark days and the onslaught of evil is growing by the day. I began to notice this defaming of the role of men start in the 1970s and it really took hold in the 1980s. Now in the last decade or so, it seems like an all-out frontal assault on men. Hollywood for the most part, likes to portray men as poorly mannered, sex-crazed, egotistic, bumbling idiots. Thinking of television in just the past few years or so, men have been portrayed like goofballs in shows such as: “Married With Children,” “Friends,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and “The King of Queens” to name just a few. Think about the men the actors in these shows portray. They are usually very immature, self-absorbed, simple-minded, and foolish. The husband and father on these shows is reduced down to having the same intellect as a sideshow clown. I have news for Hollywood, the world doesn't dictate how Christian men should live, only Jesus can do that.
Reality shows are the big thing now. “The Hills,” “The Bachelor,” “The Real Housewives” of wherever, “Jersey Shore,” and “Keeping up with the Kardashians” are just a sampling of shows that highlight what a mess this world is in. Most of the “males” on these shows are simply boys who know how to shave in my opinion. It’s not just the television shows, because the commercials have some of the most sexually charged, provocative, and debase content available for all to see. Wardrobe malfunctions, sexual innuendo, and materialism is the rule, not the exception on the television in our day. I used to turn my head, now it's just better to turn the filth off.
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” Job 31:1.
Sin can be pleasurable for a season, but it always leads to death. This world system is corrupted by lies from the father of lies, so I want to disengage from it at all costs. Notice I said “disengage the world,” not the people in the world. This is one of the most exciting parts of being a Christian man to me. Guys, you and I have the opportunity to be salt and light in a very dark place. Do you understand how rare, distinct, and revolutionary living for God's glory is, in a society that's fixated on self? If you live as a disciple of Jesus, you will be like an exile or stranger from a different planet! Engaging people with the love of Christ and living a holy life as a man of God in this dark society is not what the world expects the average guy to do.
As men, we are expected to act and behave a certain way. When we walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh, we will be like aliens compared to the men who live for their own pleasure. I do believe men should be part of a local church. Men should be involved in corporate Bible study or a small group. We should also have brothers in our lives to encourage us and to be mutually accountable to. Iron sharpens iron and there is something very unique about men getting together to lift up Jesus’ name.
“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 27:5-6.
There is something even bigger than fellowship with other brothers and that’s your personal walk with Jesus. When small group is over, the conference has ended, or the men’s Bible study breaks for the season, you will still need to stand firm. Personal integrity, Character, behavior, habits, and lifestyle are all governed by the will of God if I’m truly a Christian man. Reading the Bible, praying, and fellowship continually with Jesus are the things that will make me a man who lives to glorify God.
That brings me to a final point. You cannot will, fight, manipulate, or conjure up goodness. It’s only Christ in me that is good. Left on our own we will fail miserably. We have to die to ourselves daily and crucify the flesh if I'm to live for Jesus.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20-21.
Guys, we must live with a longing to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant!” We must surrender our pretend goodness and let Christ work in and through us. We will be able to love our wives like He loves the church. We will speak words of wisdom into our children's lives. We will be better equipped as friends, teachers, pastors, and co-laborers to build one another up. We will be able to be sober-minded, grounded, and stand firm when the world around us seems to be falling headlong into an abyss of immorality.
I want every Christian man to understand that we are at war. We don’t have the time or luxury to stroll leisurely toward heaven as we live out our lives daily. Heads up: Jesus is coming soon and the enemy knows his time is limited. Men, Satan wants to devour you, destroy your family, wreck your marriage, and obliterate your children. Let’s get back to basics and pray for our kids daily. We need to pray for our wives daily. I don’t do it enough and what a blessing to miss out on. We need to take our wife by the hand and pray for her and over her because there is a war raging against her as well. We need to live holy lives because people are watching and what an opportunity to be a witness to the life-changing work of Jesus to others.
You and I have a responsibility to stand against the narrative this world tries to ram down our throats. Laughing at coarse jokes is what worldly men do. Staring at the pretty lady who walks by with your friends and they pressure you by saying, “it’s ok to look, but not to touch” is what worldly men do. We don’t commit adultery in our heart by staring and lusting at a woman who isn’t our wife but keep our desire only for her. We need to speak life into a conversation that's heading nowhere fast. Before we worry about our golf game, guy’s night out, or what we wanted to do, we gladly set those aside to bless our wife by spending time with her and doing it with a cheerful heart.
Be the same man behind closed doors that you are in public. We can't afford to play religious games or have an apathetic Christian walk. We need to follow hard after Jesus with our whole heart. Living this life for the glory of God alone and not ourselves is the diametric opposite of how the world lives.
Friends, we need to emulate REAL MEN, not the boys in men’s clothing of today’s pop culture. We need more men like Joseph, Job, David, Jeremiah, Daniel, Stephen, Peter, James, Paul, Timothy, and of course Jesus. These are real men who lived boldly for the Father’s glory.
“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
As these days grow darker prior to Jesus' return, I don’t expect the spiritual battle to abate at all. On the contrary, I expect the full onslaught of Satan to come against us as Christian men and the Church of course. Make no mistake, if you stand and live for Jesus, you will be attacked. Men, let’s pray for one another, encourage others to finish well, and live as an example of authentic manhood in these end times.
