How To Reclaim The Role God Gave You
Being a Man Is Hard but You Still Have To Act Like One
We are told in 1 Corinthians 16:13 to act like men. I find it interesting that Paul says “act like men” and not “be men”.
As if being a man, and a man of God in particular, is not something we know how to do from the start.
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
(1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV)
Here, in the King James, the phrase is “quit you like men”. They translated this phrase from the Greek word, ἀνδρίζομαι.
This verse is the only time in the Bible uses that word. Strong’s Concordance defines this word as “to act manly”.
How the Webster’s 1828 diction defines “act”:
To behave, demean, or conduct, as in morals, private duties, or public offices.
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary also has this a one of the many definitions of “quit”:
To carry through; to do or perform something to the end
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
So it seems then that when the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 16:13 to quit, or act, like men, it’s telling us to do what men do.
To behave and conduct ourselves like men and carry that through to the end.
That leaves with the question, how does the Bible expect a man to act?
Six Ways the Bible Expects a Man To Act
(This is not exhaustive, so please share more in the comment section.)
You Are To Work.
Men, we are to work, create, and build. Not for our own pleasure or in hopes of worldly gain. But for building up the Kingdom of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
(Genesis 2:15 KJV)
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
(Proverbs 12:11 KJV)
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. (Proverbs 14:23 KJV)
You Are To Be Courageous.
Men, we are to be courageous because the world is full of evil in this present age. There will be opposition, slander, and persecution. But we must stay on track and focused on the work God gave us to complete.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
(Joshua 1:9 KJV)
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee…
(1 Chronicles 28:20a KJV)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
(2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)
You Are To Be the Head of Your Wife.
Men, we are to lead our wives as Christ leads. To love unconditionally and guide her on the path Christ sets before us.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
(Ephesians 5:23-24 KJV)
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
(1 Corinthians 11:3 KJV)
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
(Genesis 3:16 KJV)
You Are To Serve Sacrificially.
Men, we are to serve our wives, families, and communities in a sacrificial manner. We are not to serve with the hope of return or gain. Instead, we must serve like our King, who is gentle to his sheep.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it
(Ephesians 5:25 KJV)
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
(Philippians 2:4 KJV)
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
(Hebrews 6:10 KJV)
You Are To Be a Father.
Men, let no one deceive you. You are to be a father. One that brings his children up in the nurture and admonition of our King. One whose integrity blesses his children and teaches them the scripture as often as possible.
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:4 KJV)
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
(Proverbs 20:7 KJV)
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
(Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJV)
You Are To Provide.
Men, you are to provide for your family, no matter how large or small it may be. Provide them the love of our King, and His fierceness toward evil to give them safety.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
(1 Timothy 5:8 KJV)
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
(Psalm 34:10 KJV)
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
(Hebrews 13:5 KJV)
Attention: My Brother in Christ
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