"For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” James 3:16
I will start by asking the same question… Do good men really do nothing? The assumption is good men exist. Instead, the right question might be... do good men exist? If so, where are they? If so, how do men become good? I’m not quite sure how men end up good men.
I'll begin with all men were once boys. All men once attended junior high or middle school, and high school. What is the difference between men and good men? Simply, all good men have made the choice even when no one is watching. Good men determine to do good acts before they are faced with that decision. That's where good men who do good separate themselves from men that do nothing.
I'll begin with all men were once boys. All men once attended junior high or middle school, and high school. What is the difference between men and good men? Simply, all good men have made the choice even when no one is watching. Good men determine to do good acts before they are faced with that decision. That's where good men who do good separate themselves from men that do nothing.
I believe good men become godly men when they put the interest of others above their own. Allow me to begin when I was in my mid twenties, my oldest daughter was still waiting for her first birthday, and my wife was pregnant with our second daughter. We planned to stay with my parents a few days. After a long drive, I turned onto the driveway of my father’s property. My parents met us at the car. I got out, grabbed my daughter from the back, turned and shook my dad’s hand. I haven’t forgotten what happened next… for the first time ever, my hand was a little stronger than his. His hand was a little smaller, a little weaker than I remembered, and he was a little grayer than I remembered.
So, how does a boy mature into a good and godly man? For boys that want to become godly men... it starts with understanding God has blessed you with testosterone. God has blessed you with size and strength. One day, God will bless you with the privilege to be the head of your home. One day, God will bless you, as a godly man with the privilege to be the spiritual leader of your home. Listen closely, your attitude toward those blessings and privileges will guide you as you mature into a young man. The time you spend with God will determine if you will honor or abuse those blessings and privileges.
Maybe the right question to ask is… do you consider your size and strength a privilege? Will you consider your authority as a husband and father a privilege or an entitlement? Your opinion matters because soon you will have the ability to physically dominate your home. You will eventually be stronger than your mother. The reality is you may possess that size and strength right now. Will you honor or abuse your blessing from God? And, one day you will be bigger and stronger than your father. Again, will you honor or abuse the blessing God has bestowed upon you?
Good boys become godly men by spending time with God. Godliness develops when no one but God is watching. Read the story of King David in the Old Testament. The life of David illustrates how God teaches boys to become godly men. God only asks you to show up ready for class with the a humble attitude and your best effort. Class consists of reading His Word, listening to His Word, talking with Him, praying to Him, listening to what He says to you, and being around other godly men.
At one point, David delivers food to his brothers at the battlefield. He hears the Philistine giant, Goliath challenging the Israelite army to send their own champion to fight him. One on one. Man to man. “For forty days, twice a day, morning and evening, Goliath strutted in front of the Israelite army” (1Sam 17:16). No one answered Goliath for forty days until David volunteers.
For those forty days Saul and his troops were terrified and without hope. They were focused on Goliath… the giant that stood 9 feet tall wearing 125 lbs of armor. Then David shows up discussing God. He walks into his fight with Goliath quoting God. David saw what Saul and his army didn’t see… an opportunity to serve God. He was a lowly shepherd worthy only to deliver food to soldiers before he shocked the world.
David shocked Saul and his army because he was obedient when only God was watching. David spent many lonely hours standing in the field protecting the flock. He spent some of those lonely hours drawing close to God. David was trained by God when no one was watching. Read King David’s story regardless if it will be your tenth time or first. I can't think of a better story to show how time spent with God is worthy of your time and effort.
Good men do exist. They're all created by God. Have a good and godly day.
Good boys become godly men by spending time with God. Godliness develops when no one but God is watching. Read the story of King David in the Old Testament. The life of David illustrates how God teaches boys to become godly men. God only asks you to show up ready for class with the a humble attitude and your best effort. Class consists of reading His Word, listening to His Word, talking with Him, praying to Him, listening to what He says to you, and being around other godly men.
At one point, David delivers food to his brothers at the battlefield. He hears the Philistine giant, Goliath challenging the Israelite army to send their own champion to fight him. One on one. Man to man. “For forty days, twice a day, morning and evening, Goliath strutted in front of the Israelite army” (1Sam 17:16). No one answered Goliath for forty days until David volunteers.
For those forty days Saul and his troops were terrified and without hope. They were focused on Goliath… the giant that stood 9 feet tall wearing 125 lbs of armor. Then David shows up discussing God. He walks into his fight with Goliath quoting God. David saw what Saul and his army didn’t see… an opportunity to serve God. He was a lowly shepherd worthy only to deliver food to soldiers before he shocked the world.
David shocked Saul and his army because he was obedient when only God was watching. David spent many lonely hours standing in the field protecting the flock. He spent some of those lonely hours drawing close to God. David was trained by God when no one was watching. Read King David’s story regardless if it will be your tenth time or first. I can't think of a better story to show how time spent with God is worthy of your time and effort.
Good men do exist. They're all created by God. Have a good and godly day.
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