Men are called to be the spiritual leaders in their homes, marriages, families, at work, in their churches, communities, and throughout the world. Our God given, God commanded role is a daunting and intimidating task. It is such a huge responsibility, that many men shy away from their responsibility, and we see the results and effects it is causing. Divorce rates are climbing, single parent homes are increasing, teen pregnancy is on the rise, jails are overcrowded, drug use and abuse is rampant, false teachers and religions are growing in size and influence, rule of law is diminishing, prostitution and pornography is gaining acceptance, domestic abuse and violence has never been higher, and the list goes on and on. And unfortunately, for many men that try to “man up” and be a leader, they do so not as a spiritual leader that bases his decisions and actions on God’s word, but rather on his own knowledge, ideas, feelings, or what he was shown and learned as a child. This approach is wrought with pitfalls and failure!
God teaches us in the Bible to…
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
And
“Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked…
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on His law he meditates day and night.” – Psalm 1:1-2
We are to trust in the Lord with all our heart, and use His Word as the basis and foundation for all the decisions we make, how we parent, how we are to be as husbands, and what the priorities are in our life. To make decisions based on God’s instruction and will for their lives means men must know God’s Word. The Bible must be read and studied consistently to learn and apply the Truth’s that it holds. There is not a challenge or event in our lives that we may go through that God has not given instruction. I have heard men say, “There isn’t a manual on how to be a dad or a husband,” but that is not true. The manual just isn’t being read, learned, and applied. The manual is the Living Word of God…The Bible.
In the original language the manuscripts that make up what is now called the Bible are the inspired Word of God and are without error. Because God does not change, we can be confident His Word does not change. In fact, He tells us in Isaiah 40 that “the word of our God will stand forever.” God and His word, the Bible, are all we can truly and absolutely count on in our life! Because of this, we need to strive to know what is written in the Bible so we can be what God wants all men to be. So we can live as God wants us to Live.
If we do not lean on the teachings of the Bible than we will be leaning “on our own understanding,” and since we are all born sinners and flawed, our understanding, judgments, decisions, and priorities will be flawed and in opposition to God. If men do not lean on the unchanging ever reliable and true Word of God, than they will rely on their ever changing desires and wants, or will rely on what “society” dictates as true, and as we can see by what was described above society is failing, falling, and growing worse by the day.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
that the man of God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:15-17
Ask yourself….where can I go to learn to become a great teacher, effective trainer, loving father,
devoted husband, effective employee, impactful boss, loyal friend, concerned citizen,
and prepared for whatever situation I may find myself?
The Word of God provides all those answers and more!
The most important thing the Bible reveals to us is Jesus Christ!
Once you have accepted the amazing gift of salvation that only comes through faith in Jesus Christ, accepting
His work on the cross as a substitution for the punishment we deserve for the sinful lives we live,
then you will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit will help and enable you to understand God’s Word that is
otherwise impossible to understand unless you are a true follower of Jesus Christ.
It is the responsibility of ALL men to be spiritual leaders in their homes, marriages, families, at work, in their churches,
communities, and throughout the world. The only resource that can enable us, through the Holy Spirit,
to achieve God’s desire for our life is an intimate and growing understanding of the teachings in the Bible.
Read the following passage, and read it thinking and knowing that God spoke these words…TO YOU!
“My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path;
for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you,
delivering you from the way of evil,
from men of perverted speech,
who forsake the paths of uprightness
to walk in the ways of darkness…”
- Proverbs 2:1-13
