Man of God

Seeing as this is Father’s Day I wanted to bring a word of encouragement to the men today because we are under attack especially Christian men from all sides. We hear messages from our culture that tell us what a man should be. There are some voices that denigrate the value of fathers in the home or portray us as bumbling idiots on TV. Some say men should be stronger while others say we need to be more sensitive. Everyone seems to have an opinion which is why I am glad that I can go to God’s Word and see what God says a man should be. God is on our side. And In these times in which we live he has called us to be his men after his own heart. I want to share with you 6 important Characteristics of a Godly man. No one is, of course, perfect but give us in his word direction and wisdom. There are many more but I would like to focus on these 6 because we need men to stand up and be leaders today in this culture. To stand up and to speak up for God.

6 Characteristics of a Man of God

1. Humbles himself before God

Proverbs 18:12 (ESV) Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

the pride which has gotten us into trouble since the beginning from Adam and Eve to the tower of babel to denying that God even exists. Man thinks he has achieved this all on his own.

(sometimes I just try putting stuff together like furniture or a kitchen playset for my granddaughter instructions. But sometimes) the I” got this” approach doesn’t always work. God looks for men that are after his heart and seek his ways. Humility is not a weakness but it is the key to understanding to growth and breakthroughs and to honor. Arrogance and pushing may seem to achieve many things but it leave many casualties in its wake. People get hurt. Humility is the very first thing a man of God needs to consider.

2. Loves his wife

Ephesians 5:25 (ESV) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

What a lot of people mean by love is I like the way this person makes me feel. But the love that this verse is talking about goes beyond feelings. How did Christ love the church? He died for his church. To die to ourselves and our own immediate wants or desires for the benefit of the one that we love. To focus on blessing our wives before ourselves is the key to any successful marriage. We have our own things we like to do but we are called first to serve others. This doesn’t mean planning some giant romantic gesture and then posting it on youtube but it’s the small things every day. Remembering stuff, daily thoughtfulness goes a long way towards preserving your marriage. Sacrifice isn’t in the big moments but the daily giving up of ourselves.

3. Guides his children

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)  Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Not every child is the same and most of us, if we are honest, will admit that parenting is on the job training. You’re always learning. Someone recently told me of how their teenager was acting strange and I said uh huh, yep. They do that. I thank God for the privilege of being a father.  I remember when Tammy and I got together asking God “How do I do this” “I don’t want to mess this up” I was also concerned as a pastor that I didn’t put undue expectations on the kids but at the same time held my ground when it came to our beliefs. If I could boil it down to one thing it would be an example. You can have all the words buts its what you do, where you spend your time and money and effort that your kids will remember. How you treated their mom. I can think of things I might have done different but I couldn’t be prouder of my kids and how they are navigating life today with there kids.

4. Encourages his brothers in the Lord

Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

I think every Christian man ought to have a brother or two that he can get together with and find encouragement in. share the scripture with and what’s going on in their life. The Hebrew of Proverbs is funny the literal translations are Iron sharpens iron as one man sharpens the face of another. Sounds kind of threatening. I'm gonna sharpen your face. It is not good for a man of God to be isolated.

5. Equips himself in the Word of God

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

(I grew up around tools, and when I say tools, I don’t mean screwdrivers and channel locks but drill presses, skill saws, and welding. my dad had me arc welding with him at 10 yrs. old. And the one thing I learned especially about working with various tools is practice using them) the greatest tool I have ever learned to use was Gods word and the only way I got good at building my spiritual life was to Use the Word. I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for God’s Word guiding me. When my emotions betray me I can look into the proverbs and find wisdom or in the writings of Paul and find strength. I can look to the Words of Jesus and find comfort.

6. Does not compromise with the world.

Romans 12:2 (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We are called to take a stand in a world that rejects God or tries to twist the scriptures to fit their lifestyles. We must be guardians of the faith and not give an inch to the enemy or told that because we don’t fully engage in or celebrates the sins of our generation that we are less loving. We must be strong. As we stand so our families will