What is a Man?

Just what does it mean to be a man? Even the Bible asks what is man:

Job 7:17-18 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him?
and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?
And that thou shouldest visit him every morning,
and try him every moment?

Job 15:14 What is man, that he should be clean?
and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

Psalms 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

So, what is a man? This is a critical question in today’s society where men have become so emasculated. Men no longer have the sense of purpose – of destiny, if you will permit the analogy, that their lives are meaningful and full of adventure and of promise. We don’t lead the way we once did. We don’t want to offend people’s delicate sensibilities. We certainly don’t want to be construed as opinionated or heady. Men often feel so out of touch with who they are, they become stuck in a quagmire of guilt and shame, that completely erodes their self esteem and their self portrait of themselves and that leaves them completely ineffective. And, none of this is of their own doing. This is a product of a society gone mad after political correctness and mediocrity that has contributed to the dumbing down of society and the allowance of all types of evil and ills that were anathema to previous generations. In other words, the inmates are now running the asylum.

We have completely lost sight of the fact that we are created in the image of God! The Bible tells us

Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

We were created to have dominion over the world and everything in it. Later, we were given the formula where men fit:

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Men are meant to be the head of their family. As such, they are to lead with integrity, honor and courage. We are not to lord it over the other members of our family, but to lead – not drive – our families through correct and prudent examples of righteousness. Yet, in America and many other places in the western world, we have lost our way. Men no longer lead and in the vacuum that has produced, we have government and organizations trying to take the place men once held. And, this is causing great havoc.

In days of old, men had a code of chivalry and men aspired to become knights. Not any old knight; but knights of honor and integrity, of courage and valor. The concept of the knight is an elite warrior sworn to uphold the values of faith, loyalty, courage, and honor.  They often followed in the footsteps of their father – who was a knight. In fact, in many lands you could not become a knight unless your father was one! So, how does that equate today to the millions of homes that have no father setting the example? Or, to those whose father has abandoned the family, or who don’t know who their father is? How can a young man, who has no idea of what being a man means; become an effective leader of his own family? If the only examples he has are those without honor or integrity – what kind of leader will he choose to become?

I am convinced we need a male revolution where we can help men become men again. We need to help young men without male role models understand their place and their role in society. Yes, men can be fierce and driven, and still be righteous. Men can have a vision and a divine purpose that transcends anything this world has to offer them. Men, young and old need to rise to their feet and stand as men so we can take back our land and this world for our king.

For my purposes, I will use the definition of a man from an absolutely awesome book named Raising a Modern-Day Knight, by Robert Lewis:

• A real man rejects passivity
• A real man accepts responsibility
• A real man leads courageously
• A real man expects the greater reward

Stay tuned! This is going to get interesting!

Father, we thank you and praise you that you have given us what we need so we can understand our purpose and role in life. We thank you and praise you for sending and giving us the perfect example of a man in your son Jesus. We thank you and praise you Father for your incredible loving kindness. Please guide us in this endeavor to reach men that they may become real men – mighty men of God! I pray in the name of Jesus! Amen!