Where Are All the Men?

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (1 Cor. 16:13)
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​I once heard it said that if a man-eating lion was released in the United States, he would starve to death.  This is probably not far from the truth.  This is because too many men have a misunderstanding of biblical manhood.  Too many men think being a man means being into sports, being a tough guy, being able to handle guns or hunt and fish or never being emotional.  But that is not what biblical manhood is about.  Biblical manhood is about being the spiritual leader for your family, being the provider and protector for your family, and about leading and serving within the church.  Scripture makes clear that husbands and fathers are to shepherd and disciple their wives and children (Eph 5:25-27; 6:4).  It is their responsibility to not only teach them God’s word through personal conversations and family worship time, but also to set the example by leading the family in prayers before meals and bedtime, by spending personal time in God’s word and prayer, and by striving to be like Christ.  Biblical manhood also means being the primary provider for the family.  Scripture makes clear that if any man “does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8).  Though women may work outside the home, it is the man’s responsibility to ensure there is food on the table, a roof over the family’s head, and clothes for them to wear.  Biblical manhood means being the spiritual and physical protector of the family.  This means understanding theology rightly so as to squash false doctrine, regulating what the family listens to and watches on the radio and television, and gently, lovingly, and protectively treating his wife as the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7).  Finally, biblical manhood means leading and serving within the church.  Too many mainline protestant churches are filled and staffed with women who are serving in the nursery, teaching the Sunday school classes, running the church, and preaching the Sunday sermons.  This is largely due to the fact that for too long men have been AWOL from church.  Church is important.  Women understand that.  But as they looked around and saw no men willing to step up and lead, women felt they had no choice but to step up and fill the leadership void.  Men need to remember the words of the apostle Paul—"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”