WHAT IS A REAL MAN?

A Biblical Definition

(excerpt taken from Fireproof Your Marriage, Family and Life: A Seminar for Men Only by Dave Brown)

What does it mean to be distinctly a man? Is it just our sexual plumbing and hormones, which is what the culture embraces? We submit to you this morning that being a man is about faithfully the pursuing and doing our wired-in, God-assigned roles and responsibilities to our wives, children, church and yes even the culture --- to be salt and light for God’s glory and

The truth is you’re male by birth; you’re a man by choice. Every man makes a choice whether to live according to how God has designed him and purposed him or to live a counterfeit design and purpose.

Right up front it’s important you have the best working definition we’ve come across about what it means to be a real man – the real deal. It comes from Dr. Robert Lewis, Sr. Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church, Little Rock AK and founder of Men’s Fraternity. He got it from the Bible and we think he’s spot on. Lewis writes that real man 1) rejects passivity 2) expects the greater reward 3) accepts responsibility and 4) leads courageously.

Let me explain a bit about this four-point definition. 

REJECTS Passivity

He’s not apathetic or indifferent about life or God and the things of God. Like Jesus, a real man is always the initiator. He’s constantly vigilant, fully engaged in life and has both his head and heart in the game. He’s not a spectator but a player in the role assigned him by God

EXPECTS the greater reward

A real man is not a short-run guy looking for instant self gratification or to please and impress others. He’s’ in the spiritual battle for the long haul. He has an eternal perspective and foregoes short term gain for long term reward of receiving his destiny in Heaven with Christ. When final curtain falls on this world stage, he longs to hear Christ say to him, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21

ACCEPTS Responsibility

He owns up to his stuff. He’s no buck passer like Adam in the Garden. He faithfully embraces his responsibilities for the wellbeing of others, starting with his wife and children and takes seriously the vows he makes to nurture, protect and provide for them. He’s a man of duty and honor. He’s accountable to an Audience of One for his thoughts, words, deeds and the motivations of his heart.

LEADS Courageously

The Bible constantly calls men out and up to be the spiritual leaders of their homes, to love their wives sacrificially and unconditionally, and to spiritually nurture and instruct their children. In carrying out the Great Commission a real man understand his first responsibility is to disciple his wife and children. 

We are to boldly protect them from evil, to provide for their earthly needs and to lead and live with the truth. In Christlikeness we are to take up the basin and towel as servant leaders “to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).