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03B- REAL Men
Critical
Intermediate
Video
Divine Design
20 Lessons
0% Not started
About 03B- REAL Men
Would you agree that the world or culture is against REAL men and women? Much of the world, especially Western culture, is drowning in gender confusion. What is a REAL man or a REAL woman? How would you teach that to a child or anyone searching for an answer? The consistent message from the pseudo-intellectuals is there is no real difference between men and women, except for some body parts. Even worse, you can ignore the body parts and “identify” what you are.
The desire to neutralize or eliminate the gender distinctions and differences God has hardwired into human beings (Gen. 1:26–27) is blatant and constant.
The confusion is a work of Satan to distort God’s creation. It is effective because the lies are promoted through what is good. The lies ride on the back of truth and good values. It is like mixing poison with a healthy meal. Satan can quickly hook you if you do not stand on the firm foundation of God’s Word.
Ready?
03B- REAL Men
Critical
Would you agree that the world or culture is against REAL men and women? Much of the world, especially Western culture, is drowning in gender confusion. What is a REAL man or a REAL woman? How would you teach that to a child or anyone searching for an answer? The consistent message from the pseudo-intellectuals is there is no real difference between men and women, except for some body parts. Even worse, you can ignore the body parts and “identify” what you are.
Critical
So, where is your focus? Does everything revolve around and serve “ME” instead of serving others? If so, that is the sin nature in full blossom. The more you choose according to the flesh, that means you are plugged into this world, which Satan rules. If you maintain that focus, you can expect to cripple and hurt your relationships, especially those with your wife and children.
Critical
Focus is essential. Your focus dictates whether you live in the PROBLEM and your Judgment or the SOLUTION and your Design. Where you look demands the kind of man you will be – structure demands behavior.
Critical
There are seven dimensions of a husband’s love. This is a significant challenge for any husband. Sound in love is challenging enough, but when you study Ephesians 5:25-31, it is even more challenging.
Critical
Unconditional love is not dependent upon whether the object deserves it or not. It is not based on how your wife acts or lives and is not subject to the whim of your emotions. Christ did not die because the church deserved it. When you love your wife, you submit to Christ, your head, and decide to submit to your wife’s need to be safe and secure. (See course 09A - The "S" Word - Submission). Notice the word “decide.” Love is a decision to pursue her best – it is not an emotion.
Critical
How do you sacrifice for your wife? You probably will not have to die for her. But perhaps you could give up some of “your” time to do something with her. How about just having a conversation with her, spending time with her, or even going shopping with her!
Critical
God gave you the responsibility to protect and help set your wife apart as holy, preserving her virtue and purity. Part of your role is protecting her from compromising or defiling situations and encouraging her to remove anything that brings impurity into her life.
Critical
Nourish also means “to feed.” So, provide for her. This fits with a man’s design to work and provide and supports the fact that man is to be the breadwinner.
Critical
In Greek, cherish means to soften or warm with body heat, like a bird on a nest. In English, it means to hold dear, value highly, take great care of, and treat tenderly. So, when you cherish your wife, you provide a secure, warm, soft place for her.
Critical
Why a singular love? What about divorce? Some say that even divorce does not actually separate. “Joined” in Greek means “glued together.” God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16), and God has not changed His mind (Malachi 3:6) (see Chapter 11 for a complete discussion about divorce).
Critical
Scripture says, “woman is the glory of man” (I Corinthians 11:7). Glory implies a shining and a reflection. Some things you do not like in your wife may reflect you! What are you doing to help her walk with God? If this visionary love is true, God will reward you for loving your wife as Christ loves the church.
Critical
So, a REAL man is Merciful when he is sound in love – unconditional, sacrificial, sanctifying/purifying, nourishing, cherishing, singular, and visionary. If those seven elements are still too abstract, here are three practical ways to develop a sound love, as you can see in 1 Peter 3:7
Critical
Two more practical ways that a husband is to love his wife. The previous three were from 1 Peter 3:7. These two are from Proverbs.
Critical
Patience or “enduring perseverance” is a grace that especially becomes older men. A sad sight is the “grumpy old man” or woman. That grumpiness directly reflects a lack of self-governance to move away from the continual flashing ME.
Critical
Are you easy to respect? What in your life helps you answer yes? Are you a person of dignity – a man that is respectable due to your quality of character and life? If it is true of you, you want what is noble, morally valuable, and worthwhile. Those are not only your desire but also part of your life so that you demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of the flesh.
Critical
Real men are clear about what really matters. It is always great to be reminded about what God sees as valuable. God’s lists are non-material items that designate what is valuable to Him. Nothing in the Titus 2 list is material, yet most men and women tend to focus on material things as a measure of value.
Critical
Self-control is a crucial message for both men and women. A form of the word is used for each group mentioned in this Titus 2 passage. That makes sense because God is interested in the Holy Spirit controlling you – not your flesh.
Critical
Faith is the key to whether your life will be founded on the perfection of God or something else. Faith is the initial step in your transformation process, as shown in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Without a sound, healthy confidence and trust in the power and perfection of your Lord Jesus Christ, you WILL fail!
Critical
Young men, please take the time to look for godly men you can imitate. Look for and spend time with men you can pattern your life after. Older men step up and be that pattern that young men need. Let the luster of your life be a common school of instruction, a pattern of virtue to all. – John Chrysostom
Critical
The "Can You, Will You, When" technique is great for helping people make a choice, especially about behaviors. Consider these questions now that you have seen what God says is a REAL man!