What Kind of Man are You – Part IV

"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12

In his book Men of Courage, Dr. Larry Crabb writes that there are three characteristics of an inauthentic man that represent the battles that go on deep inside their soul. These characteristics are that an inauthentic man feels powerless, angry and terrified. Last week we looked at the characteristic of anger. This week as we wrap up this study, we are going to look at being terrified.

Men who live in a terrified state ask questions like: "What if life exposes me as a failure?" “What if I ruin everything…my family, my friendships, my job, and I’m left all alone?” “What if I face the fact that all my possessions, all my money, and good times have not fulfilled that emptiness deep inside of me?”

You see, inauthentic men live with a terror that won’t go away. They try to keep the terror hidden under wraps of success, sociability, and routine. But when the terror and fear can no longer be hidden, contained or controlled, inauthentic men panic. Some inauthentic men become violent, while others engage the pleasures of immorality. They look for an instant, reliable pleasure and release mask the terror they feel. Most often this is pornography, but it can include other pleasures that stimulate their imagination. Whatever their outlet, the goal is relief…a quick, reliable, easily achieved relief.

Conversely, an authentic man finds his answer to terror in freedom. When terror strikes, they may be tempted to respond like inauthentic men and become violent or look for that quick relief, but they do neither. Even though enjoying God can be harder, that is what an authentic man does. He takes the bad circumstance that caused the terror and uses it to exhibit something good and to reflect on the always hopeful movement of God. An authentic man fights hard against the unrelenting desire for instant gratification and release. He is a purposeful man who pursues his call of authentic manhood.

You see men, every day, we move either towards authentic manhood or away from it. What way are you moving? What areas of your life do you need to repent of? Who do you need to seek forgiveness from? Who do you have in your life to walk beside you on this journey to authentic manhood? You can’t do this alone. Find somebody to hold you accountable and enjoy the freedom that comes from being an authentic man…..being a godly man

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)