Men

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December 21, 2011 – A Man Unequaled

38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, Can we find this man’s equal, a man in whom is the spirit of God? – Genesis 41:38 AMP

Pharaoh knew the truth. He was king of Egypt, a country and a people with several gods and goddesses just like the Greeks and Romans would have centuries later. But here was Joseph standing in front of him. Joseph was a stranger in a strange land. But after hearing God’s interpretation of his dreams through Joseph and hearing Joseph’s godly advice, Pharaoh knew for certain there was no one like Joseph in his entire kingdom. He was truly a man of God.

Stories of men of God are told throughout the Bible. Moses was called a man of God (Deuteronomy 33:1). Elijah and Elisha are called men of God several times in the Books of First and Second Kings. David was called a man of God (2 Chronicles 8:14). Paul called Timothy a man of God (1 Timothy 6:11). With such examples of godliness in print it should be easy for men to take notes and learn how to be men of God. But very often such attempts are filled with more failure than success. So my question is this: what does it take to be a man of God?

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he sheds some light on how to be a man of God.
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart. – 1 Timothy 6:11 AMP

I think part of the problem is that some people read this verse and perceive the list as being wimpy qualities of a man. Society has taught us to never run from anything; standing and not running is what makes men tough, right? In this verse, Paul is specifically telling Timothy to flee from false teachers, greed, and temptation of any kind. Such things will lead men and women alike from the faith and should be avoided.

Another failure is that men have been portrayed by society in extremes. Men are either clean cut, non-confrontational, and passive, or they are burly, beer drinking, tattoo-laden, convicted felons just released from prison. Neither are accurate depictions of men of God.

For years I have seen men say various things about themselves in church settings. Some men are always defeated and cannot shun evil desires in their life. Some men are domineering husbands so much that they are nearly abusive to their wife and boldly claim their headship in the home. The fact is that no Christian man alive should ever feel defeated because defeat is not a Christ-like quality. And men should never act as prison wardens in their home because such behavior hardly shows the presence of a gentle heart.

The primary key to becoming a man of God is to read, know, and apply the Bible in your life.

16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 AMP

Okay, let’s look at the truth here. It doesn’t say that every man at church is God-breathed. It doesn’t say every men’s group at church is inspired by God. Every Scripture is given by God’s inspiration. I am not saying that you can’t go to a men’s group meeting at church, nor am I saying you should not seek out advice from those you perceive as being godly. But I am saying that you must check out everything you hear with the Word. You may discover that the godly advice you receive is more worldly than you thought.

The previous passage from Second Timothy is another instance where society’s portrayal of men has put Christian men in a precarious position. Society has taught us to never admit defeat. We are never wrong. And even if we are wrong, we can cast blame on someone else. But this passage says that the Bible is there to offer correction. It is there to show us our errors and help us to be more obedient to God. When it is not used properly, professed men of God will be far from complete and proficient.

When God’s Word is used and alive in men’s lives, they will be complete. Knowing the Word will equip you for every good work. You will be the best husband to your wife. You will be the best father to your children. You will be the best employee at your job. And you may even find other men reaching out to you for help, because they see the same God in you that Pharaoh saw in Joseph.

Are you a man of God? Is your life full of the Word or full of the world? Is your life conformed to God’s will in everything you do? When it is, others will look at you and truly see a man unequaled.

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