“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (Ephesians 4:14).
A man must be resolute in his mind. This does not mean he is unteachable, no, he is always learning. But a man must know what he believes and why he believes it. He is not stubborn, proud, or contentious, yet always resolute.
How sad for a man to go through life unsure of himself. Dr. Clayton Schumpert said, “My greatest fear in life is not that I will fail, but that I will succeed in something that is not important.” This should be the fear of all men.
Are you sure of yourself? Are you sure your mind’s focus lines up with the Word of God and the God of the Word? Do you know what is important? Do you know what is eternal?
“I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 16:8).
On his word I’m feeding,
I shall not be moved;
He’s the One that’s leading,
I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
Lord, I shall not be moved.
– John T. Benson
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
When masculinity prevailed among men in America, “Father knows best” was our theme. He was the answer man. He knew a little about everything. Whatever it was, he could figure it out. He was the “Jack-of-all trades.” Women and children looked up to him with admiration and thought he knew everything.
The Biblical words for this are knowledge, instruction, and wisdom. To have this, we must first saturate our minds with the Scriptures.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Men, especially saturate your minds with the books of wisdom: Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. These may be hard in the beginning, but eventually they will set your mind straight on many subjects.
Be constantly learning. Learn to read well. Watch out for influences that do all of your thinking for you: Newspapers, movies, TV, magazines, etc. “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” (1 Timothy 4:13). Exercise your mind as much as – or more than! – any muscle God gave you.
“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:13-14).
One president said, “A mind is a terrible things to waste.” The Devil says “A mind is a terrible things to have.” Get beyond the milk stage in the believer’s walk and be one who feasts on the meat of God’s Word. Be one of God’s great “thinkers.”
We are told to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3). How can we if we haven’t thought it through?
We are told to “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason...” (2 Peter 3:15). How can we do that if we don’t know?
Consider some other scriptures:
“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer...” (Proverbs 15:28).
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15).
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6).
“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” (1 Timothy 4:15).
Masculinity is mental toughness combined with a right spirit. Would to God it could be said of us what was said of Stephen: “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” (Acts 6:10).
