Biblical Manhood
Thoughts on Manhood by Larry BrayWhen I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. (1Co 13:11)
What are the 3 areas in which we are to give up childish ways?
Speaking, thinking, reasoning
Child:
Motivated by self/love of self
Wants others to sacrifice for him
Impatient
Circumstantial (especially joy and peace)
Lack of self-control (controlled by desires/emotions)
Focused on rights/freedom/liberty rather than responsibility/obligation
Autonomous reason is foundation for thought
Man:
Motivated by love of Christ and others
Sacrificial
Patient
Joy and peace are from the solid foundation of Christ
Controlled by God’s Spirit/Controls his emotions
Focused on responsibility/obligation to Christ and others
Scripture is foundation for thought
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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. (Rom 12:1-2)
We see that our mind is the primary place of difference between a child and adult. When the mind is changed from childhood to adulthood the rest of the person follows.
How is our mind changed? (When we present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God and refuse to be conformed to the world’s way, we are transformed by the renewal of our mind).
When our mind is renewed, how do we make decisions in life? (By testing to discern the will of God).
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. (2Co 10:3-6)
Our renewed mind and making decisions based on God’s will rather than our own, is part of the spiritual battle that we face. It’s not some passive thing that we simply agree to do, it’s a fight.
What are the 3 areas in which we are to give up childish ways?
Speaking, thinking, reasoning
Child:
Motivated by self/love of self
Wants others to sacrifice for him
Impatient
Circumstantial (especially joy and peace)
Lack of self-control (controlled by desires/emotions)
Focused on rights/freedom/liberty rather than responsibility/obligation
Autonomous reason is foundation for thought
Man:
Motivated by love of Christ and others
Sacrificial
Patient
Joy and peace are from the solid foundation of Christ
Controlled by God’s Spirit/Controls his emotions
Focused on responsibility/obligation to Christ and others
Scripture is foundation for thought
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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. (Rom 12:1-2)
We see that our mind is the primary place of difference between a child and adult. When the mind is changed from childhood to adulthood the rest of the person follows.
How is our mind changed? (When we present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God and refuse to be conformed to the world’s way, we are transformed by the renewal of our mind).
When our mind is renewed, how do we make decisions in life? (By testing to discern the will of God).
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. (2Co 10:3-6)
Our renewed mind and making decisions based on God’s will rather than our own, is part of the spiritual battle that we face. It’s not some passive thing that we simply agree to do, it’s a fight.