What does it mean to be a real man in today's world? Men are invited to explore this topic by adding their insights and experiences; but wouldn't it be nice to get the opinion of ladies as well?

Let's start with the following Scripture, and see where it leads...

"...be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:" (2 Kings 2:2-3).

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"The joy of the Lord will be your strength." (Neh.8:10).

Your brother in Christ

David T. Battler

Wow, what a tough question. I'd like to respond, but I think I'll wait and see what the men out there come up with! This has potential to be a very important topic - one not frequently talked about.

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*

What constitutes a real man?
Depends on who you ask.
To my way of thinking a 'real man' can keep his mouth shut despite provocation, does not retaliate in kind, and is strong enough to be gentle when necessary.

He doesn't have to flex his muscles to 'impress' anyone, and can understand the need to be compassionate.

My vote for a REAL MAN is cast for Jesus.
He is a real mans man.

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What is popular is not always right.
What is right is not always popular.
Gerry B.

Hi Brother Gerry

I was so excited today that on the very day I started this topic about what is a real man; I saw the most incredible affirmation from the Lord.

Where did I see it?

It was on a guy's bumper sticker, driving to work today!

What did this awsome bumper sticker say?

Who wants to hear the answer?

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"The joy of the Lord will be your strength." (Neh.8:10).

Your brother in Christ

David T. Battler

Ok, what did it say?
Or do I have to beg?
I will, you know. I need to know the answer, if for no other reason than I have a curiosity complex 25 miles wide and 1,000 miles long.

So,..... what did it say?

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What is popular is not always right.
What is right is not always popular.
Gerry B.

The human nature of Jesus is the man all men were created to be. He is skilled at building males into men that He considers a man.

He often uses circumstances that turn you inside out and show you your heart condition while it is still beating you up. Too often tame things do not break past the macho barriers in males. Testosterone with all it's benefits does have some down sides.

Jesus conquered & balanced maleness & manliness & consecrated it. Meekness was explained to me that the origional definition of meek is best illustrated by a powerful spirited proud horse. Not a despirited whipped creature but brought into the desire and practice to conform to their masters wishes, loosing none of their personality and all their rebellious habits.

Love to their master has replaced their other attitudes with it's self - meekness.

That's why Jesus could be kind & also be bold & and radical in contrast with the religious mores of the self styled rulers causing the people to err. He could be the hero & champion & yet kind yet without weakness and timidity. We often associate weakness, timidness, running from a fight to keep peace at any cost - with meekness. That is not Biblically accurate.

God does not ask a male to sacrifice strength to be a man, but rather to consecrate strength to Him. the consecrated man learns what battles to leave to God, bring to God, enter in the strength of God, and what to leave alone.

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Edward F. Sutton

I don't want to be responsible for prolonging your agony brother Gerry! The bumper sticker read:

"A Real Man Loves Jesus"

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"The joy of the Lord will be your strength." (Neh.8:10).

Your brother in Christ

David T. Battler

[This message has been edited by DavidTBattler (edited September 21, 2000).]

"A real man loves Jesus" bumpersticker.

O dear, I hope in traffic none of the members of the homosexual lobby gets to chuckling.

20 years ago we as a couple walked around a small lake with another couple. The young man had just become ordained. The subject of our conversation was...what makes a man a real man...or in other words when does a boy stop being a younster 'a boy' and is a man ?

We came only to the conclusion that there are signs of traits in those over 20 who we automaticly call 'men' and signs of traits in many 'men' which cause us to hesitate calling them 'a man'. Then we couldn't get any further than that.

Last year because of certain crisis in my life I viewed this field of men coming and going in my life. I kept asking myself why do I refer to certain 'ones' as fullfledged 'men' and others as whimps or loosers ?

I came to the conclusion that it all has to do with their attitude to commitment, caring for others and how they deal with responsibility. Young men have a measure of responsibility which they couldn't carry as boys. When they prove capable of handling responsibility effieciently and stay faithful they are invisably initiated into that magic realm of full manhood. Others can now look up to them in trust. They may make still mistakes but they are forgiven from others because the mindset is to show strength in faithfulness toward commitment.

To follow through on the responsibility irregardless of the conflicts. To let oneself be tied to the principles of rightness and to stay true to course of one's godly calling is what I see in men who are men.

Forgive me if that sounds idealistic or utopic. But I see lots of men who were once young men develop into this and who have met this fully.

~~~~~Joan~~~~~+

There are many things that define the men from the boys. I have met some "men" who remained little boys all their lives.

I think a man has to be able to pray, to put his faith and trust in God even when things look dim. To retain a youthful outlook on life, that ability to play even though they are all "grown up". A man also ought to be a gentleman, in the accepted sense of the word, to treat other people kindly, to be there for those who need him, to be strong in times of crisis, and yet able to admit when he is weak. A man is one who can accept responsibility for himself and his family.

I am, of course, talking about the ideal man, but I know that they exist, or at least one does!

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*

Ok ok, from a real man here. (Well, ok, that's not so true, but here goes.)

A real man is not afraid of anything that is within his power to control. IE, barking dogs, the dark, etc. At the same time, a man in not afraid to back down from a situation he cannot control. IE, 15 - 1 odds in a gang fight, etc.

A real man knows how to be compassionate, yet strong at the same time. (Woo, what a tough one.)

A real man knows how to be there, yet not. (Make sense?)

And last, but not least, a real man knows how to say "I'm sorry."

A real man also knows how to swallow his pride.

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

To me a Real Man will love his Lord and Saviour..Jesus Christ supremely and his fellowmen as himself.

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

Jesus favoured the use of the term "Son of Man" when He referred to Himself.

The expression "son of..." means equality with or an amplification of the person or creature being discussed.

Jesus is the new and improved model of man--exactly what man ought to be. Therefore, real men do as much as possible to model themselves after Jesus Christ.

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As the Happy Moments Roll,

Pastor Andrew

Hi Darryl,
Maybe a real man is wise enough to not have any pride to swallow.
Anyway, I'm only going to say this. As Christians we love to create boxes to put everyone in, resulting in a paper cutter society. I was always fascinated by Jesus describing John the Baptist as being so much different from Himself, yet they were doing the same work.

Very Interesting Dan!

I do agree with the general tone of the posts made today. A real man follows the injunction of 1 Kings 2:2-3:

"Be thou strong therefore, and show thyself a man [real man], and keep the charge of the Lord thy God...To walk in His ways...Keep His commandments...that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest."

Now it's time to add a little dynamite!

Today, many couples are similar to the Psalmist, when he said: "I watch, and am as a sparrow, alone on the housetop." (Ps.102:7).

The relationship is strained, and true love is lost sight of.

What is the man's part in this kind of situation? What can men do to be all that God desires them to be with their wives?

What about when the wife is abusive, or is no longer "in love?"

What does it mean to be a real man then?

If you would like to be the real man that God wants you to be; and if you are serious about getting your marriage on the right track; How do you be "a real man" then?

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"We are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets; Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone!" (Eph.2:20).

Your brother in Christ

David T. Battler

[This message has been edited by DavidTBattler (edited November 13, 2000).]

David, I love it when Bible verses are given as an answer!! 1 Kings 2:2-3 is a perfect verse to describe what God wants men to be like!! You have asked some tough questions, and I am enjoying what the men have to say in response.

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*