BIBLICAL MASCULINITY
Greetings to each and every one of you on this special day, International Men’s Day! To all the remarkable men reading this, I extend my warmest felicitations. What an incredible blessing it is to be a man! Na man you be!
Let's draw inspiration from the profound words of Genesis 1:27 (NIV), which beautifully reminds us: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
This scripture profoundly highlights God's intentional design, creating humanity in His own image, with distinct male and female identities. God's creation of man and woman was no accident; rather, it was a deliberate and purposeful act. He fashioned them uniquely, assigning separate roles that complement each other in harmony.
The biblical concept of manhood is rooted in a profound understanding of divine authority and accountability. According to the scriptures, specifically 1 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV), it is clear that a man has been entrusted with authority over a woman. However, this authority is not absolute or autonomous, for it is ultimately subject to the supreme authority of God. But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. This biblical hierarchy underscores the notion that man's authority is derivative, stemming from his relationship with God.
In essence, man's leadership role is characterized by stewardship, not domination. He is accountable to God, and this accountability is twofold. Horizontally, man is responsible to others on earth, particularly within the context of his relationships. Vertically, he is answerable to God in heaven, recognizing that his authority and identity are rooted in his divine connection. Thus, the biblical man understands that his authority is not self-derived or independent. Rather, it is a sacred trust, imparted to him by God. This realization fosters humility, responsibility, and a deep sense of answerability to divine guidance.
In practical terms, this means that the biblical man recognizes the importance of submitting to God's sovereignty, acknowledging that his authority is subject to divine oversight. He also values accountability within his earthly relationships, seeking guidance and support from others while remaining mindful of his ultimate accountability to God.
The identity of a biblical man is not derived from the cultural norms and values of the world, despite the potential benefits of certain traditions. In fact, many cultural influences, including those from my own heritage, often conflict with the standards set forth in the Holy Scriptures, which alone provide the definitive guide for understanding the identity of a biblical man.
The pervasive impact of popular culture, as seen in Nollywood, Hollywood, and various media outlets, can shape our perceptions but must not be confused with the biblical definition of manhood. Consistent exposure to these influences can be misleading, yet they do not dictate the characteristics of a biblical man. Society often promotes misguided notions of masculinity, suggesting that a man's worthiness of love and respect is tied to his physical appearance, wealth, or emotional stoicism. We are bombarded with messages emphasizing the importance of physical attributes like beards, body shape, and stature, as well as financial success, as the ultimate measures of a man's value.
However, these standards are far from biblical. The Scriptures offer a radically different perspective, one that emphasizes the importance of humility, compassion, and spiritual integrity. The Bible does not teach that a man's worth is measured by his physical strength, financial prosperity, or emotional suppression. In fact, biblical examples illustrate that genuine masculinity is not incompatible with emotional expression. Jesus, the epitome of biblical manhood, wept openly (John 11:35), and David, a man after God's own heart, poured out his emotions in prayer (Psalm 51:1-12). But people will tell you that "real men don't cry", really?
Characteristics of a Biblical Man:
1. An Imitator of God (1 Corinthians 11:1):
A biblical man strives to emulate God's character, reflecting His love, compassion, and righteousness in every aspect of life. He always reflect God's image in thoughts, words, and actions and in all his ways seeks to understand and apply God's perspective on life.
2. Called to Leadership (Genesis 2:15-17): As seen in Genesis 2:15-17, a biblical man is entrusted with leadership responsibilities, serving as a steward of God's creation and guiding his family with wisdom and integrity and prioritizes serving and empowering others.
3. Protector of the Vulnerable (Matthew 22:39): A biblical man is called to safeguard those around him, including his wife, siblings, children, and the vulnerable in society. He recognizes the power dynamics at play and chooses to use his strength to shield, not exploit, defends against physical, emotional, and spiritual harm, uses his resources to uplift and support people.
4. Honors Women (1 Peter 3:7)
A biblical man treats women with respect, dignity, and kindness, recognizing their inherent value as image-bearers of God and stay away from things that causes you to objectify them, things like pornography and the likes.
5. Keeper of His Word (Psalm 15:4).: A biblical man is trustworthy, reliable, and faithful to his commitments, mirroring God's unwavering faithfulness, honors promises and follows through on responsibilities, demonstrates faithfulness in relationships and endeavors. Don't promise a sister and jilt her, not good man.
6. Devoted to Prayer (Luke 18:1): A biblical man prioritizes communion with God through prayer, seeking guidance, wisdom, and strength, cultivates a spirit of humility and dependence on God.
7. Peaceable and Not Quarrelsome (1 Timothy 3:3, Proverbs 15:1).: A biblical man cultivates a peaceful spirit, avoiding unnecessary conflict and promoting harmony in his relationships, avoids unnecessary conflict and division and listens actively and responds thoughtfully.
8. Self-Disciplined (1 Corinthians 9:27, Proverbs 25:28): A biblical man practices self-control in thoughts, words, and actions, recognizing the importance of chastening himself unto righteousness and be cultivates emotional intelligence and maturity.
A biblical man reflects God’s character through kindness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) and gets rooted in a deep relationship with God and obedience to His Word, he discerns worldly influences from timeless Scriptural principles. While embracing this paradigm fosters harmonious relationships, effective leadership, and purpose.
I have to shout-out to Men that have had great influence in my life.
Shout out to my Dad; Apostle Olawale Olaluwoye.
Shout out to my Spiritual Father; Pastor Sola Osunmakinde.
Shout out to my Papa; Oluwadamilare Ajayi.
Shout out to my best friend; Moronfola Timilehin.
To my boss; Adesoji Fasanya.
To my brothers; Paul and Blessing.
Shout out to friends; Oluwaseyifunmi Akeredolu, Oloruntokun Oluwaniyi, Olarenwaju Heritage, Victor, Egbon Kola, Ayodeji Douglas, Oluwasegun Zion, Israel, Nifemi, Ayooluwa, Gabriel and so on.
Happy International Men’s Day! To you all!
