At the beginning of creation, God created man “male and female”. Accordingly, God saw His creation as good, therefore, both male and female were to be gifts with a redemptive purpose.
After the fall [of mankind from heaven], human nature became corrupt and sin entered the world. Much of what God ordained for the good of man has been corrupted, and this corruption has colored our view of what was once good. In this discussion, the human understanding of men and women is also affected.
The Bible is the written expression of God’s word for us, all for reconciliation with the Father and restoration of what God wants. While we may struggle with the concept of masculinity and easily point to toxic examples of it, God has a redemptive plan for masculinity. Therefore, the Bible can be a standard for the calling and inspiration of men.
1. courage
The Bible encourages men to show courage in different aspects of their lives and emphasizes the importance of trusting God. Throughout the Bible, numerous passages encourage men to be strong and courageous, to face challenges with courage and trust in God’s provision and protection. In Joshua 1:9, God commands Joshua:
“Did I not command you? Be strong and brave. do not be afraid; Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
After the death of Moses, Joshua was on the verge of leading the people of Israel to the Promised Land, and here God’s presence and support enabled Joshua to overcome his fear of the giants of Canaan with faith. When David faced Goliath, the Philistine giant, he showed courage and relied on the power of God to defeat his powerful opponent (1 Samuel 17). Similarly, Daniel showed courage when he defied King Darius’ command and continued to pray to God despite the threat of persecution (Daniel 6).
2. Honesty and integrity
God’s plan for men includes maintaining integrity and honesty in all aspects of their lives and emphasizes honesty and truthfulness in character and behavior. The Bible emphasizes the value of honesty and integrity for the development of men.
Proverbs 9:10 declares:
“He who does right will walk in confidence, but he who takes crooked ways will be disgraced.”
God calls men rightly to guard against deceit and wrongdoing and to ensure that men act confidently in all their dealings and relationships. Meanwhile, people who are deceitful will eventually be disgraced.
The Bible warns against the consequences of dishonesty and deceit and encourages men to be truthful and upright.
Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore, each one of you should put away falsehood and speak truthfully with your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” To love our neighbors, men must treat them honestly and foster trust and unity in the communities around them.
3. Responsibility and leadership
Men are called to embody responsibility and leadership, emphasizing their roles as caretakers, protectors, and providers in the family and community. Various passages in the Bible emphasize the importance of men taking responsibility with perseverance, integrity, and humility, and exercising leadership with wisdom, compassion, and a servant’s heart. In Ephesians 5:25, husbands are commanded to love their wives selflessly, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself to her. Men are to lead their families with self-sacrificing love, selfless service, and spiritual guidance, modeling their leadership after Christ’s example. 1 Timothy 5:8 instructs men to provide for their families, saying:
“Whoever does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his household, has denied faith and is worse than a disbeliever.”
This emphasizes the importance of men playing the role of providers and ensuring the well-being and safety of their loved ones through compassionate work and provision. Furthermore, the Bible teaches that leadership is a God-given responsibility for man to act with humility, wisdom, and a servant heart. In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus teaches his disciples about servant leadership and declares, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.”
The idea of leadership in the eyes of God is not power over others to rule over them, but humility and sacrifice, the needs and interests of others above their own ambitions and desires.
4. Humility and gentleness
Humility and gentleness are essential virtues for the cultivation of all believers, and this includes men in their God-given roles. The themes of humility and meekness run throughout the Bible, and these qualities reflect the heart of God and are essential for healthy relationships, leadership, and spiritual growth.
One of the main teachings is found in Philippians 2:3-4, where believers are advised:
“Do nothing out of selfishness or vanity. Rather, in humility, consider others superior to yourself and do not look at your own interests, but each of you should pay attention to the interests of others.”
Apostle Paul encourages believers to be humble in every interaction. Men may be proud of their accomplishments or power, yet they are called to be humble, as Christ demonstrated when He was on earth. Similarly, Colossians 3:12 instructs believers to “clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” This verse uses an imperative verb, meaning that people should choose to be humble and kind. Men should be intentional in their behavior to embrace humility and gentleness.
Today in the article : 4 ways the Bible defines true manhood We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity
