Being a Man is a Good Thing Not an Illness

Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)

^“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

Apparently, according to an article I read online this week, the American Psychological Association (APA) has published new guidelines warning of the dangers of “traditional masculinity.”  The APA has warned that "Socialization for conforming to traditional masculinity ideology has been shown to limit males' psychological development, constrain their behavior, result in gender role strain and gender role conflict, and negatively influence mental health and physical health.”  That article is the reason for this week’s blog.  Now I haven’t read the guidelines.  Neither do I trust medical information published in the news media.  (The media tends to oversimplify such things.)  I don’t intend this is a critique or analysis of the APA guidelines.  Neither is anything I write here intended to be a comment on women.  What I write here about men is not intended to imply anything about the importance of the women in our lives.

My intent is simply to say that being a man is a good thing, not an illness.  While I have mine ideas about what “traditional masculinity” is, I don’t presume to know how the APA is defining it.  What I do know is “God created us male and female.”    Manhood, along with womanhood, are both gifts of God to us and to our world. 

Does the Bible define for us what godly masculinity looks like?  While you can’t find a specific definition, it is implied all over in the Scripture.  Think of Jacob wrestling with God.  Consider Joseph refusing the temptation of Potiphar’s wife, forgiving his brothers and taking care of His family.  Or what about Joshua leading the people of Israel in the conquest of the promised land?   Then there is young David going out to face the giant Goliath so that the world may know that there is a God in Israel. Words like courage, integrity, strength, conviction, leadership and more come to mind as I think of these men. 

The best definition of manhood is to be found in our Lord Jesus. He is the perfect man, like us in every way except for sin.  He couldn’t be bullied.  Remember how he walked straight through the crowd that wanted to stone him.  Jesus was secure in his relationship with His Father to become the foot washer for his disciples.  He wasn’t afraid to do the right thing.  We see this he cleansed the temple.   Jesus was both strong and gentle.  Hence the Scriptures would say of him that he wouldn’t even break a bruised reed.  Jesus was a man of faith – trusting His Father’s plan even though it took Him to a cross.  Humility, righteousness, strength, courage. Leadership and more are all words that describe Jesus.

St. Paul held up Jesus as an example of what it means to be a godly husband.  Having written that the “husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,” Paul goes on to explain exactly what that means.  He wrote, “Husband’s love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her…”  As I understand it that word “head” is a roman military term.  The Romans attacked in a triangle formation.  “The Head” was the man at the point of that formation.  The man who took that position was almost certain to sacrifice his life.  That’s what Jesus did for us on the cross.  He took the point.  He gave up His life for us.  That’s what it means to be a godly man – to take the point for your wife and family – to put yourself out there for them… to be willing to sacrifice everything, even your own life for them.

Sure, all men (except Jesus) have faults.  Some make a terrible mess of things and do terrible things, but that’s not because we are male.  That’s because we are all sinners.  Being male is not something to be ashamed of… our sin is.  The only hope for all of us is God’s forgiveness in Christ. 

When I look at the men God has put in my life over the years – I have to say thank you Lord for these precious gifts.  They have lived out in my life the words of Proverbs 27 - “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”   Let me just talk about a couple.  My dad taught me about being a man… taught me the value of hard work, of patience, of a good sense of humor, of providing for your family, of being generous, of loving children, of faith and much more.  God has given me great Pastors – Miles, Doellinger and Koch.  They all taught me about Jesus.  David Koch mentored me as Pastor and husband, and passed on to me that desire to mentor others.  Dick Lasch has been a brother to me, listening to me, advising me and more.  Jim Otte has spoken powerful Gospel into my life.  I could list a host of other men God has brought into my life. I don’t know where I would be were it not for the faith, courage, strength, love and integrity of these men.  I think you understand my point – Being a man is good thing not an illness.  My challenge to you today is to take a moment to consider the good men the Lord has brought into your life.  Then take a moment to write them or call them and say thank you.