Be A Man! (What Does That Mean?)

I remember when your dad was a very young man

He said to me, "Dad, I think I've a plan,

To do what's important and make me some change

Now listen to me dad, don't think so strange,

I'll go into business and sell me some stuff

And I won't stop selling 'til I've made enough

Money. Because it's the most important thing

And all of the happiness that money brings."

I said to him, "Really? Is that what you think?

I said to him, "Son, put down that drink!"

He said, "But dad I need to know why,

I need this water, my throat is so dry!"

I said, "Son, what would you say

If I told you that you're not drinking for the rest of the day?

And then tomorrow you again come to me

And you get no water and still be thirsty?

You see son, money never, ever, comes first

Here swallow this dollar to quench your thirst."

"Then Grandpa, what did daddy do?

Does he get some water, when the story's through?"

The old man took a long pause, and then,

Began to tell the story again.

I remember my boy began to cry,

And I almost gave in, but I didn't, and I

Waited 'til he was listening real close

And I told him that I loved him the most,

But he would have to understand

So he could grow up to be a real man.

"Please Dad," he begged, "I need it please!"

Then I smiled at him and got on my knees,

I said, "Listen to me son, to what I say

Learn this lesson now, learn it today,

Do you feel how much you need that drink,

The water so cool as it runs from the sink?

That's how much you need to needJesus

Because it's the love of God that totally frees us,

So you can have the power to be a real man

Do you think that you can do that? do you think that you can?"

"I do grandpa!" the little boy said

He had jumped in the story in his father's stead,

"I know you can," he said in a voice so glad

"You know something son? You're a lot like your dad."

Real Men. There are few to be found. the grandfather in this story wanted for his son and then his grandson to be real men. He knew that every opportunity needed to be utilized and this story only tells about one of the many occasions that this man of God used to teach his children because he loved his family and took his responsibility as father seriously.

The definition of a real man can be given in five principles:

Principle 1. A real man is one that lives his life actively connected to the Lord.

"Teach me your way, O Lord; I will walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I will praise you O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify your name forevermore." (Psalms 86:11-12)

"By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." (1 John 4:13)

The real man sees himself as immersed into the body of Christ, literally connected to God. He is constantly aware of that connection and works hard to solidify its reality in his life. Though the enemy tells him that he fights his battles alone, he knows that in fact God is with him. Indeed, if all forsake him, Jesus will not. He knows that the path that God calls for hiim to follow may not be understood by many people and even those close to him, may not understand. But like Abraham of old, he simply believes and obeys.

The grandfather in this story realized by the statement of his son that the connection between he and his God needed to be strengthened. He knew that his son had received Christ as Savior because he himself had led him to Christ a few years before. The world is strong and hard to fight when you're young. Powerfully written music and commercials on TV create plausible illusion that money is the all-important thing. The World would have you to believe just enough to get your eyes off Jesus. The reality of God's presence is stronger than the World (if the young man can remember God's connection to him and desire it at all times). Desiring Jesus as one would a cool cup of water when one is parched and despirate is the type of focus that is unbreakable.

There was an illustration in Scripture similar to this story, and that was Jacob and his ungodly brother Esau. Jacob could have asked Esau, "What is your heart's desire?" Esau's answer would have been, "My desire is not for Messiah, my focus is on my belly!"

Now reader, let me ask you. Where is your focus? your heart's desire? Are you a real man that actively experiences his connection with the Lord or are you a person tossed by the pursuit of your own desires?

Principle 2. A real man stands on the solid foundation of God's Holy Word and will not allow his feet to be moved.

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." (Psalms 119:1)

"I will behave wisely in a perfect way, oh when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart." (Psalms 101:2)

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)

The real man knows that the one thing that will never lie to him is the Bible. He knows that even his own reasoning, at times, will be faulty. Friends will lie to him or be misled. His environment, the World, will work to destroy him and all that he holds dear. But the real man will be unmoved because he works within a relationship with the Lord. His power comes from God. His thinking has been molded in the Word and comes from God. What can you do with a guy like this? Call him rigid or stubborn, or narrow-minded, but however you think of him it will not change his position of power in the Lord.

As the story unfolded, did you feel the grandfather insensitive, perhaps too harsh? Isn't it natural for young people to get ideas that are unsound? Maybe what should have been done is to talk to him, reason with him. Perhaps, but his grandfather, wishing to bring a sure foundation under his grandson's feet needed to get his attention and create for him a memory not soon forgotten. His grandson needed to know that a real man is not moved when the winds of the World's doctrine blow. His foundation will be solid only if the boy stands on who God is.

Are you, the reader, teaching this principle to your children? Are you saying to them that with Christ we are rich and powerful? Are you saying that all can be content with what God gives? Or are you showing by example that God can not be trusted? Are you panicking at the slightest shortage of money? Do you fail to thank God for everything and in your child's hearing?

Principle 3. The real man allows no other gods before him.

"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me." (Psalms 101:3)

"Now the works of the flesh are evident which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, disensions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, revelries and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21)

"And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."(Galatians 5:24-25)

The real man has one thing in his sight, Jesus Christ. He does not turn to the right hand or to the left from where his eyes should be, on Jesus. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? Let me tell you, it isn't! Satan sends "plausible illusion" and "reasonable lies" to mislead or distract him. He knows that there is nothing more important in his life than Christ; no issue, no person, no desire. nothing more important.

As soon as the old man heard the importance that his son had attached to money, he knew that something had slipped his attention. He realized that gone unchecked, this attitude would eventually steal away his boy's blessings and maybe even his life. Such a simple illustation as a glass of cool water and a dry parched throat, may possibly have changed this young man in ways you can't even imagine.

What is it that our children see is our God? Do we worship at the alter of money? or pleasure? or leisure? Do we worship our own bellies? Real men are aware that there are always eyes on them, impressionable eyes.

Principle 4. The real man realizes the stench of his own sins and bathes regularly.

"Have mercy on me O God, according to your loving kindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions." (Psalms 51:1)

"The Lord shall judge the peoples; judge me O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity within me." (Psalms 7:8)

"A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor." (Proverbs 29:23)

The real man is fully aware of who grants him his powers and abilities. He knows that he is but dust and even though the spirit be willing because of its connection to the Lord, his flesh is many times given to failure. This results in a condition known as "odour de extraordinaire". His prayers and worship, his service and praise that usually are a sweet savor before God, are now a stench in His nostrils. A real man knows his strength comes from God and that he has a propensity for sin. He is sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and does not enjoy being dirty. Immediately he confesses to God (agrees with God that what he has done is evil in His sight). He forsakes it (turns away, intending never to go back to it).

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

This grandfather knew the Scriptures and how he would pass on his sinful tendencies to his children. He was grateful to God for the truth of 1John 1:9. He himself had struggled with the importance of God, desire for Jesus and love of money. He knew that the value of his experience would have to be passed on, thus possibly sparing his child that same pain of trial and error.

Dear reader, how do you view your sin before your family? Do you ask their forgiveness when it spills its effects on them? Do you look to teach your children from the lessons God has taught you? Are you humble before your family? Do you let your children see you get right before God? If you model to them how to ask forgiveness, they in turn, will think it natural to come to God with a humble heart.

Principle 5. He takes seriously his responsibilities and walk before the Lord.

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." (Deuteronomy 6:7)

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of truth." (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

"Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)

"And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your ordinances. So shall I keep your law continually, Forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, for I seek your precepts." (Psalms 119:43-45)

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called." (Ephesian 4;1)

The saying, "Oh grow up!" is an adage as old as time. Some men see no need to grow up and mature in Christ. But our families need both father and leader. They need a real man. A call goes out to all men.

Can you be like this grand patriarch of the family in the story? Do you practice these five principles listed here?

Such a simple illustration...think about it.

Other hubs about Personal Growth:

How To Make Wise Decisions

The Christian Walk Is A Balanced Walk

Don't Get In Shape For Summer- Get In Shape For Life!