As we sat there discussing recent adventures with our kids, one of the guys started to recount a recent camping trip he and his seven-year-old son took. He mentioned how he and two other friends and their sons got together for an overnight camping trip. They did some fishing, hiking, and pellet shooting—all excellent memories.
Then he got to the part about how he and his friends were drinking and cursing up a storm. He delightfully recounted how they all encouraged their sons to curse along with them. “Son, you’re among men now. Mommy’s not here, so you can say (insert your expletive here) as much as you want. Go ahead and yell it out!” He continued telling the story with such pride as he reenacted his son cursing and even decided to give him a sip of beer. “Now you’re a man!”
In essence, this man told his son that being a man means cursing, drinking beer, and undermining what mommy thinks. Sure, he was defining manhood for his son and affirming him but based on what? Now, let me be clear about a few things. First, I’m not against drinking alcohol as the bible does not forbid it. I believe this is a personal conviction for each man to know his limits. Also, I don’t believe in raising a “momma’s boy,” always under the thumb of their mother.
However, I know that irresponsible drinking, cursing, and undermining women is not an accurate definition of what it means to be a man. Scripture tells us to refrain from foul language, be tempered in how we consume alcohol, and love our wives as Christ loves the church. What all this means is that his definition of manhood is incorrect, and he will pass this on to his children, and they, in turn, will pass it on to their children. This example is why we need to base our definition of manhood according to scripture and guide our children in the same way.
Daily Directive:
Answer and Journal the Following
Read:
Read and meditate on 1 Timothy 3:1-5.
Pray:
Pray and ask God for clarity and direction on what it means to be a godly man.
Meditate / Make It Real:
Determine how you will live your life according to the Word of God and guide your children to do the same.
Share / Show:
Share and show what you’ve learned with someone else.