Act Like a Man

Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength! -1 Corinthians 16:13 Amp

The last forty years has wreaked havoc on authentic manhood. The feminization of men is displayed in a constant barrage of media imagery. Almost every male represented on television is a metro-sexual pretty boy or a sloven buffoon. Every reality show has to have its token effeminate male. It’s embarrassing.

Thankfully, there is a grassroots movement in our culture to resurrect authentic manhood. It’s called FivestarMan.

When I speak to men about FivestarMan and the five passions of authentic manhood, something unique begins to happen: their body language transforms before my eyes. Men who were slouching in their chairs suddenly perk up and lean into what I am saying. I can see my words resonating within them. It’s not because I am teaching them something new, but I am exposing and reawakening who they are as men.

This has caused me to realize this simple truth:

Authentic manhood is not learned but discerned.

The first portion of the verse in 1 Corinthians 16:13 reads, “Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith – your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things.”

The five passions — adventurous spirit, entrepreneurial drive, faithful character, gallant, and philanthropic — are deep within every man. When these passions are spoken of and studied, men become alert, active, and engaged into a stance of readiness. This is brought about by discernment — the understanding in one’s spirit that these passions are real, concrete, and life-changing.

So how are we as men to be courageous, grow in strength, stand firm in faith, and model authentic manhood?

Be Alert.

If you get caught off guard, shake it off. I remember being blindsided on a football field. My mind became foggy. My eyes blurred. I walked in a daze for a few minutes. It taught me to be alert. It conditioned me to be aware of my surroundings. I have translated that into my daily rhythm of life. When I walk into a room I survey the environment. I check out the crowd. I look for the exit strategy. In life, you must be alert.

Be On Guard.

You must be able to protect yourself and your family. If you need to, take some lessons. Condition yourself. You will avoid ninety percent of trouble if you look strong enough. Be on your guard in other areas of your life as well. Build a fortress around your life. Solomon said, “Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter.” Make sure that you have defenses.

Stand Firm.

Stand up straight. Don’t slouch. Put your shoulders back. Don’t let your posture slump. Plant your feet and look ahead. Take this position physically and spiritually. This is not a time to be weak-kneed. Don’t try to draw your faith from your wife or children. Draw upon your relationship with God, then in turn strengthen your family.

Model Manliness.

Act like a man. Carry yourself with the dignity of being a man. This doesn’t mean you are arrogant or oppressive. In fact, it’s the opposite. It means you act with class and a quiet, but firm boldness.

Be Courageous.

Have the courage to live by your convictions. Don’t compromise. If your company is cheating customers, ask God to give you another job or start your own company, but don’t compromise who you are for monetary gain. Simply put, don’t whore yourself out for money.

Grow in Strength.

I am using P90X for my physical conditioning — it’s a tough workout. When I started I could barely get through half of the session before having to quit. After a few days my strength increased. Now I can do more and more of the workout. It’s the same lesson in other areas of your life. You become stronger on things that you condition.

Similar Posts:

• Resurrecting Authentic Manhood
• Man Is The Economy
• Pushing Through the Resistance of Authentic Manhood
• Are You an Authentic Man?
• Where to Purchase Fivestarman Book