For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? – 1 Timothy 3:5….Today’s blog entry deals with the role of the man from a biblical perspective.
I want make it clear that this blog entry only highlights some of the key areas of the role of the man. The Bible has a lot to say about this topic, and goes into much more detail than this blog entry. I also want to mention that there are some things (such as being devoted to Jesus, living a holy lifestyle, etc) that apply to both men and women, however in this blog entry, I’m focusing on the attributes of a man. So for example, if I talk about men being called to lead, that doesn’t mean that women can’t lead, but rather there are some areas that the Bible specifically says men should take the lead in.
First and foremost, every Christian (Man and Woman) should constantly be working to grow in their relationship with Christ. Having a genuine relationship with Christ will help a Christian understand his/her role in the body of Christ.
An important attribute of a man is to be a provider and a protector. It’s a good idea for a male to start developing the mindset of being a provider/protector from an early age, having a plan to be able to care of himself and others (with God as their source). This will be especially important if the man goes on to get married and have a family. And even if a man doesn’t plan to get married or have a family, he should still have the mentality of a provider and protector. The following passage of scripture deals with the way men in a certain place responded when they found out Jesus came to their area.
“And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased.” - Matthew 14:35
A man should also be mature and able to endure temptation. He shouldn’t fall apart if things don’t go the way that he wants them to. He should rely upon the Lord for direction and remain committed to Christ. It’s important for men to understand that young boys and teenagers often tend to imitate the things they see other men doing. A Christian man should be striving to be the best example they can be.
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” – Genesis 18:19
Within a marriage, a man should be the spiritual leader. Ephesians 5:25 says “Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” It addition to being a provider/protector for his wife, a husband should also be helping his wife grow in her relationship with Christ. A husband should speak positive words to his wife, and realize the things he says (and the way he says those things) have an impact on her. If a husband notices that his wife is doing something contrary to scripture, he should correct her in a loving way, and likewise if his wife notices that he is doing something contrary to scripture and brings correction, he should receive the correction (without getting an attitude). A husband should always be building up his wife, never tearing her down.
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
A man who has children, should be a good father to them. He should be actively involved in their lives, teaching them about Jesus, and helping them grow in their knowledge of the Bible. A father should never ridicule his children, but he should love and protect them.
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." - Proverbs 20:7
I want make it clear that this blog entry only highlights some of the key areas of the role of the man. The Bible has a lot to say about this topic, and goes into much more detail than this blog entry. I also want to mention that there are some things (such as being devoted to Jesus, living a holy lifestyle, etc) that apply to both men and women, however in this blog entry, I’m focusing on the attributes of a man. So for example, if I talk about men being called to lead, that doesn’t mean that women can’t lead, but rather there are some areas that the Bible specifically says men should take the lead in.
First and foremost, every Christian (Man and Woman) should constantly be working to grow in their relationship with Christ. Having a genuine relationship with Christ will help a Christian understand his/her role in the body of Christ.
An important attribute of a man is to be a provider and a protector. It’s a good idea for a male to start developing the mindset of being a provider/protector from an early age, having a plan to be able to care of himself and others (with God as their source). This will be especially important if the man goes on to get married and have a family. And even if a man doesn’t plan to get married or have a family, he should still have the mentality of a provider and protector. The following passage of scripture deals with the way men in a certain place responded when they found out Jesus came to their area.
“And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased.” - Matthew 14:35
A man should also be mature and able to endure temptation. He shouldn’t fall apart if things don’t go the way that he wants them to. He should rely upon the Lord for direction and remain committed to Christ. It’s important for men to understand that young boys and teenagers often tend to imitate the things they see other men doing. A Christian man should be striving to be the best example they can be.
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” – Genesis 18:19
Within a marriage, a man should be the spiritual leader. Ephesians 5:25 says “Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” It addition to being a provider/protector for his wife, a husband should also be helping his wife grow in her relationship with Christ. A husband should speak positive words to his wife, and realize the things he says (and the way he says those things) have an impact on her. If a husband notices that his wife is doing something contrary to scripture, he should correct her in a loving way, and likewise if his wife notices that he is doing something contrary to scripture and brings correction, he should receive the correction (without getting an attitude). A husband should always be building up his wife, never tearing her down.
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
A man who has children, should be a good father to them. He should be actively involved in their lives, teaching them about Jesus, and helping them grow in their knowledge of the Bible. A father should never ridicule his children, but he should love and protect them.
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." - Proverbs 20:7