When we consider the text in Genesis 3:1-7, we see not simply the instigation of Satan, but the decrepitude of manhood. That word, decrepitude means, among other things, feeble, weak, sickliness etc. When we look upon the landscape of manhood, we see far too many men who fit this description.
Let me say from the outset that this is not a bashing session on men in America. Brothers have it hard, in some respects, because the expectations levied at us are sometimes at levels that only Christ, Himself, can achieve! Yet, though this may be the case, we must embrace ownership of our lives and our failures as well as the continual pursuit of Christ-like maturity. This will demand, among other things, impeding the encroaching tendencies of victimology that seek co-opt our seeing and understanding of social engagement.
I say this because victimology - the evaluation every aspect of our life - everything that happens to us or hinders us - from the perspective of being a victim - is not a social construct. Thus, what we call "playing the victim" is not something that was produced by society and or is related to one subset of people rather, it (victimology) was the first expression of the decrepitude - the feeble, weak and sickliness - of man seen in the context of Satanic deception of Genesis 3. I offer this premise to demonstrate that the real issue with manhood is the transfer, perhaps I should say the surrender, of maleness to a narrative that was and remains destructive, not just to men, but to all of society because of that.
I want to start here because identity is everything. How one views themselves and from what lens or perspective tells the real story about them. Too often boys are given stories about being male that actually strip manhood. The social issues of fatherlessness, single parent homes and poverty are all real factors that we cannot dismiss when speaking about the epidemic of the absence of manhood in this country. However, if we end with this social narrative then we are part of the problem. The decrepitude of manhood is not because of these social factors as if they directly cause it but, paradoxically speaking, because they indirectly cause it.
These narratives, intended to help, begins to shift man's identity away from Christ, tempting them to view themselves socially (defined as products of society) rather than biblically or theologically (defined as God's creation). This shift may appear to be small and insignificant but, it is eternally massive and is the reason for the catastrophic implications we are witnessing in America and the church. This is why genuine real manhood comes from men who are in Christ - Christ-centered - and are continually informing their view of life and reality from the victorious perspective of the cross.
The decrepitude of man was destroyed by the death of the God man. The victimology seduced in the Garden was overcome by the victory secured at Golgotha. The reversal of the weaknesses of manhood can only take place by teaching, training, and discipling men to see that their real manhood strength is found in a growing and abiding relationship with Jesus. Jesus was the man that man was to be but, being seduced by a false narrative, he surrendered for a moment of fleshly and intellectual passion. Is this not what we see taking place today?
The next generation of men, even those sitting in church every Sunday, are being overwhelmed everyday by the Satanic deception that says, as expressed by one R&B group, "It's your thing. Do what you wanna do." This is what we have been doing since the Garden and, though we have had massive inventions and advancements across the globe (a true expression of the mercy of God) we have seen the devolution of men across the centuries. We have everything at the expense of the most important thing: men who know themselves because they know and serve their Creator.
So, what do we need? We need a lot of things, but one thing that is certain: we need Christian brothers of every hue, sitting down together and being real about the issues and that affect men and the social, emotional, and spiritual impact of such issues on men in general. In truth, if those of us who know the truth are suppressing it by not telling other men about real manhood, we are not only negligent but become actual supporters of the chaos we see in society. Those who support chaos cannot speak against the chaos with any kind of intellectual honesty.
I am going to begin a series of discussions with the brothers of my church and with other men who would like to join, called Brother2Brother. It will not solve the problems, but it will illuminate, I pray, a group of men who, together, grapple and pray about being Godly men - real men. If you or someone you know and think would want to be a part of this journey of spiritual transformation for the purposes of cultural agitation, send me an email.
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