In the hustle and bustle of life us guys often find it difficult to stop, take a breath, and sit down to take time for the scriptures. In so doing we neglect the first and most important relationship in our lives: that which we have with God. Below are four of some of the most important Bible verses for men, guys who are becoming husbands and fathers and are looking to discover their purpose in life, to delve into. Of course this list is by no means exhaustive, as there are thousands of verses which men in particular can learn a lot from, but these four examples are sure to paint a picture of true biblical masculinity.
1 TIMOTHY 5:8
”But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.“
1 Timothy 5:8 ESV
As men, single or married, childless or as fathers, we must be providers in the home. This means we must have jobs that bring income to our families or into our homes, and must not become lost in idleness.
Included in the responsibility of provision is more than money however, but also food, security, your time and attention, and all that you have to offer for your family. If we are to be the provider then we are to accept the reality that we are the only person in our family who doesn’t have a choice. We must provide, or else we have denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.
Be attentive: your role as the provider of your family doesn’t translate to authority in decision making. Your wife plays just as big of a role in making decisions for your family regardless of how much money you make in relation to her. Provision is a biblical burden to be bared, not a bragging right to be manipulated.
1 PETER 3:7
”Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.“
1 Peter 3:7 ESV
This is a controversial verse and one that many prefer not to speak on. The idea of women being the weaker vessel has led to a lot of misunderstanding as to its meaning. A lot of them miss the point.
The point is in the text itself: we are to live with our wives in an understanding way, with honor and recognition of their equal value as heirs of life. Women aren’t weaker spiritually, but they should be treated with more kindness and tenderness than our male counterparts.
This isn’t about the weakness of women, but rather it is a calling to us men. Our wives should be treated respectfully and our understanding with them should be magnified more than with others.
For a lot of us guys, our wives are the strongest people we know. That doesn’t change the common reality that most of us also acknowledge however, which is that they aren’t designed by God to shoulder the same hardships the way that we are. This isn’t a diminishment of who they are, just a recognition of God’s clear intention.
This verse is crucial to understand for men because it will help us to remember how we are to act in our marriages. Give her the benefit of the doubt. More than anyone else, practice patience with her. Speak kindly, acknowledge her issues with you and in general, and treat her like an equal partner; because she is.
Perhaps more obvious to others, make it known that your wife is held in higher esteem by you than you hold anyone else. This includes your children, your parents, siblings, friends, or role models. If you treat your friends or parents with more respect, honor, or dignity, you are in error.
EPHESIANS 6:4
”Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.“
Ephesians 6:4 ESV
This world is full of useless, prodding, ineffectual and inconsiderate fathers. Our modern Western culture, especially in the United States, has seen a rapid decline in the fatherly standard. Rather than modeling our fathers off of Jesus, we have begun to remove the father from the household and the single mothers have become commonplace.
If you are a man and you have children that you have chosen to stay at home with to raise them then know this: that is not enough. Fatherhood is a blessing from above that must be taken seriously. You must be disciplined in your interactions with them! Focus on showing love, gentleness, patience, and self-control. You cannot expect your children, especially your sons, to grow up and be productive members of society if you yourself are not modeling that for them.
Instead fathers have a responsibility not just to provide, not just to be physically present, but also to teach and lead by example. If you are provoking your children to anger, becoming to them a presence of uncertainty and irritability, then the issue lies solely with you.
The initiative in fatherhood begins with you. It is not your children’s job to make your role easier. Don’t be a lazy, sorry man who helped to bring children into the world just to make their lives more difficult.
Along with your role comes the responsibility of teaching. Help them to understand what is acceptable and what is not in the eyes of God, but delivered with understanding and forgiveness. Just as they will need your forgiveness so to will you need theirs. As fathers you must be chief amongst forgivers in your family. Model it if you want them to provide the same for their families one day.
MARK 9:35
”And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”“
Mark 9:35 ESV
The most humbling verse on this list, Mark 9:35 is a wake up call directly from Jesus. Let’s remember the context of this wisdom from Jesus. Just before, the twelve disciples had been arguing amongst themselves concerning who was the greatest. Their display of arrogance and pride, comparing themselves to one another, was directly confronted by Jesus’ call to humility.
Whoever would desire to be first must be last. But what does this mean? On the surface it seems illogical; contradictory even. Jesus knew what he was saying however, as he always did.
While his disciples were quarreling pointlessly amongst themselves they were missing the bigger picture, that ultimately in heaven we are leaders in humility, not ego.
In the kingdom it is not those who see themselves as superior or greater that are the true leaders, but those who sacrifice and serve for the benefit of others. That is what makes a true leader. So too is the case in the home. The leader of the home is the husband and father who lays down his own desires for the good of his family.
Men, you have been called to take up the household cross to lead by Christ-like example.
Think of a bottom-up pyramid. You are at the bottom, the earthly foundation for your family. From the bottom you’re pointing your family towards something greater. Up above, where the true foundation lies; God the spiritual foundation.
Thing about this logically: in the past, have you responded to leadership from a place of authority and power, or from a place of humility? Leadership from humility is open to constructive criticism, change, and setting a shared goal.
Power demands, humility encourages. Which leader would you follow? If Christ demanded everything, insulting his way to the cross, would he have the following he does today? Jesus knew what true leadership looked like and rebuked those who didn’t understand. He warned against a rulership that lorded over its subjects in favor of a leadership that said ‘follow me’.
CONCLUSION
These 4 verses are a great starting point for true biblical manhood, fatherhood, and Christ-driven leadership. True leadership is letting the true leader lead through you: Jesus Christ.
If you are to be The Sacrificial Man, you must be a provider of servitude, a giver of love and understanding in marriage, a beacon of calmness for your children, and a leader of humility in your home. No one ever said being a man was easy. Accept the reality that your calling is one of great difficulty, but of even greater significance.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by! Peace be upon you, your wives, and your children. If you want to read more about biblical masculinity and what it means to be a man of God, click on one of the following to get started: