As society attempts to redefine what manhood is, the church struggles to keep up with the definition of what godly manhood is. As I am not a man, I will be addressing Christian women’s role in encouraging and challenging godly manhood.
Let’s begin with three main ideas. Each idea consists of a problem I see facing godly manhood and how we, as sisters in Christ, might help solve that problem.
First, godly manhood is threatened by what society tells them is manly.
It seems every time I turn on the TV there’s commercials with muscular men with a gun on one arm and a woman on the other. Then we have the flip side of what society says manhood can look like with the LGBTQ community. There are men leaving the design God made for dating and marriage to adopt a lifestyle with another man.
What can we sisters do to encourage our brothers in their fight against this? Why don’t we endorse our own definition? Seek the Lord as you intentionally examine how you view what makes godly manhood. You may find even some of our own views are skewed by society. Here are some passages to consider…
Proverbs 24:5-6 ꘡ 1 Timothy 4:8 ꘡ 1 Timothy 4:8 ꘡ 1 Timothy 6:11 ꘡ Ephesians 4:2
Second, godly manhood is facing the giant that is feminism.
The freedoms the Lord has allowed us to live in as women today with free speech, rights, and safety is not to be taken lightly. There are many injustices going on in the world against our sisters, and we are charged to take up the fight for them. But we must be ever so careful not to confuse defending our rights with offending our brothers. Men are not the enemy, sin is.
How can we guard ourselves against the feminist mentality for the sake of godly manhood? It’s simple, know ourselves. We are daughters of the King with purpose and value. We don’t need to be an outspoken activist; we can be humble and kind because we are confidant in who we are. When we exhibit humility, there is no hindrance to the men around us to chase after the Lord.
Lastly, godly manhood is under attack from complacency.
Complacency has planted a seed that tells Christian men that their role doesn’t matter and their efforts are pointless. Complacency has long drug our brothers to laziness, unfaithfulness, bitterness, and more.
How can we combat it? Pray! We can’t make men more godly. It happens in their minds and hearts. Pray for the father, husband, brother, friend, boyfriend, uncle, nephew, cousin, etc. in your life. Time taken to pray for godly men is not wasted time.
Ask the men in your life how you can be praying for them. Ask them how you might encourage them. Our brothers face obstacles on every side, let us not be found faithless in our efforts to spur them on!
meet the author!
Hannah Hanzel is an opinionated, passionate gal that loves sharing what God is doing in her often busy and complicated life. She strives to show God's glory in working as the Art Director for the Baptist Messenger, serving as a multi-client freelance graphic designer, and communing with CRBC. When she's not working, you can find her sipping coffee in a hammock, watching classic '40s movies, or going on an adventure with friends or family.
