Biblical Manhood Series

The Fall Corrupted Everything

God cursed the ground because of Adam’s sin (Gen. 3:17-19). All the good things God told men to cultivate are now at war against us.

Work is now hard and frustrating. Work is not a product of the fall. Work is not the curse. Work being hard and uncooperative is part of the curse. Most men like to work but become frustrated with the outcome! So they quit or look for the easy way to get it done! Even if the easy way is illegal, immoral or wrong! Cultivating the right things will always be hard. There may be wonderful seasons where work is easier and more cooperative than at other times, but for the most part it will be difficult. Because of sin we desire for things to be effortless so we tend to cultivate other things that seem to be less difficult. We shy away from the things we are called to cultivate and build because they are tough and time-consuming. We would rather cultivate hobbies, jobs, physical appearance, houses, etc. Our culture and advertisers have keyed in on this and exploit these tendencies. God uses the things that war against us, that are difficult and broken to show us our need for a Savior.

Why Are Men So Messed Up and Confused?

I believe there are multiple factors that have contributed to this. I don’t think this list is exhaustive, but it will give us a good picture. Since the feminist movement (that really began gaining ground in the 1960s) got under way we have become scared to stand up for true masculinity for fear of being mislabeled or attacked. I think it is partly because we have forgotten what true masculinity looks like, honestly. There has been a lack of teaching and discipleship in the home and our churches. Most of our dads didn’t teach us and, for the most part, neither did our pastors. For the longest time I used this lack of discipleship as a crutch. I complained that I didn’t know these things because “I was never taught or discipled.” My mom did what she knew how, but she is not a man and could not teach me to be a man! Poor, pitiful me. I felt sorry for myself because I thought I was in the minority of Christian men. I now know that men who have received discipleship from their dads or other godly men in the church are in the minority. If you are in the minority – praise God!

Side note: Don’t sit around and blame others for your lack of training. Whatever your circumstances were, you can still learn to be a Godly man, a devout husband, a god-fearing father and a model citizen. Find training. Follow the examples of godly men around you. Ask them questions. Read good books. Listen to sermons, etc. The bottom line is this: do something about it so you can disciple others, train your sons, and stop this cycle! Okay. I’m done with this rant. But there may be more!

Cultural Attacks on Biblical Masculinity

Feminism – A lot of women today are continually trying to force themselves into roles that they were never designed by God to do or carry. It’s not that they couldn’t do these roles or jobs as well as men, it’s not that they aren’t as smart as men (my wife being a great example – I have a true treasure that happens to be a great deal smarter than me), it’s just that God didn’t design them to do these things or serve in these areas. Before I start getting e-mail about this comment, I encourage you to listen to the entire series! I am not a male chauvinist trying to put women down. On the contrary, I would love to see men and women working together the way God designed it to work.