Reviving the Virile Man

Who are we supposed to be?

Where is the actual paradigm for masculine conduct? If I ask ten different men I’m likely to get ten different answers. Indeed, some will claim the Bible provides the model.

So why, then, are some men who claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ not demonstrating righteous virility in their lives?

[virile (virəl) adjective; having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive (typically used of a man); having or characterized by strength and energy]

Disobedience could be a reason. But perhaps ignorance is the real culprit.

Because if I’m trying to envision the archetype of the Godly man through the lens of an effeminate culture prevailing in our congregations today, then I’m not seeing the pattern I need to see.

But if we men will just open our eyes, we’ll see a vacuum being filled as a result of our passive, malleable presence. And it’s all on us.

I cannot convey Biblical virility by being amenable for the sake of peace in Christ’s ecclesia. This is one of most effective maneuvers in Satan’s toolbox. If he can overwhelm the otherwise faithful disciple with a voracious appetite for sports, leisure and pornography, then that man will have no problem surrendering his God-ordained office of headship in both his family and his congregation.

And he’ll also unwittingly forfeit the opportunity to demonstrate responsible leadership and virile behavior in every dimension of his life.

Perhaps many of us who claim to belong to Jesus Christ aren’t aware that we were created to be saviors of the world just like our Master. We were made to lead, protect and reflect the essence of masculinity that’s conducive to the Lord’s standards of human male conduct.

But righteous virility isn’t a commodity available for purchase. It is, in fact, a vital male attribute already existing in each of us, accessible only by the will of the Spirit.

Only through the Spirit can I seek and learn to be what I was meant to be.