Play the Man
Everyone — it seems — has an idea on how men ought to and ought not to behave, but few have offered much in the way of a path forward.
Rather, men have been under attack.
The result is that men are refusing to stand up so they can avoid being attacked.
The truth is that masculinity is not the problem.
Masculinity is actually a part of what God calls men to be for their families and their community.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. —1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV
Our families, churches, and community are desperate for men to stand up, stand firm, be strong, and play the man.
Play the Prophet
From the opening pages of Scriptures God has called and appointed individuals to speak on His behalf.
The reality is that there are many people clamoring to play the role of prophet in your family’s — particularly your kids’ — life.
Men — this cannot continue unabated. It’s time to open your eyes to schemes of the devil, who strives to steal, kill, and destroy your families future and potential.
It’s time to stand firm, be strong, and play the prophet.
You have been given the unique responsibility of speaking on behalf of God to your family.
But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.” —Joshua 24:15 CSB
Joshua played the man. He embraced the responsibility of proclaiming God’s Will to his family.
The question you must wrestle with is this: Will you?
A prophet must know God’s Word.
But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. 8 For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. —1 Timothy 4:7–8 CSB
- Training
- Study
- Seek Godly council.
A prophet must speak God’s Word to his family.
“This is the command—the statutes and ordinances—the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, so that you may follow them in the land you are about to enter and possess. 2 Do this so that you may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life by keeping all his statutes and commands I am giving you, your son, and your grandson, and so that you may have a long life. 3 Listen, Israel, and be careful to follow them, so that you may prosper and multiply greatly, because the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you a land flowing with milk and honey. 4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates. —Deuteronomy 6:1–9 CSB
Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. —2 Timothy 2:15 CSB
- Your must speak for God in your family situations.
- You must teach God’s precepts to your family.
The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law. —Deuteronomy 29:29 CSB
A prophet inserts courage.
Prophets insert courage through speaking life.
- Encouragement
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. —1 Thessalonians 5:11 CSB
- Praise
- Thankfulness
give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. —1 Thessalonians 5:18 CSB
A Prophet makes us remember our mission.
Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have. —Philippians 1:27–30 CSB
- Live worthy
- Contend together for the Gospel
- Suffer for Christ
Summary
Men, it’s time to man up and play the man — the embrace your role as prophet for your family. Know God’s Word. Speak it to your family. Insert courage in their lives. Remind them of our mission.
Our families are struggling. Our kids are struggling. Our communities are struggling. Our nation is struggling. We need watchful men who will stand firm, be strong, and play the man.