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The Best A Man Can Be


 

  Manliness isn’t what it used to be. I’m not talking about man buns or fancy jeans but rather how it seems that the pendulum of what is considered manly has been swinging rather wildly.

  At times, the worst traits (promiscuity, vulgarness, violence) are the ones that are promoted. Then society overcorrects and makes all masculinity toxic.

  But what does the Bible teach?

  In 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 we read, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love”. Notice the traits that are emphasized in this passage for those who are attempting to “act like men”; Protection, Consistency, Faithfulness, Strength, and Love. A man is one who is there. Who watches out for others. That is a Godly man with Godly traits.

   Don’t think if you can skin a buck run a trotline and hit a homer that you are a man. Real men are there when needed, ready to do the things that need to be done, unafraid to step and take responsibility, to provide and protect.

  We need men like that today.

 

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