Measure A Man

What is a Man? No, not a male who has "come of age" but a real Man.

Following is my opinion of what a man should be, and the type of man that I would like to be.


The essence of a true man should come from within, when you look at a man, regardless of what he may look like to the eye, you should be able to see that he is a man at heart. There is only one source for this essence that fuels a man, and that is the One True God, our Father. Without a heart that seeks, and submits to Christ, a man can never be more than a shell of what he should be. But a man who knows by whom he was created and who draws his strength from God knows no boundaries. - All other facets of a man stem from this basic tenant.

A man should be strong, and his strength needs to be founded not only in his physical abilities, but in his mind, in his emotions, and in his spirit. A man is the pillar that stands on the cornerstone of Christ in a Christian family, and his wife and children will seek their strength in him. He must be rooted firmly enough that he can draw strength from God to give them even in his weakness.

A man should be genuine, with no duplicity of character. When you meet him and get to know him, who he is, the basis of his character should be clear, and unwavering. To over-simplify what you see should be what you get.

A man should be educated, and be able to educate his children, to nurture and to guide them into the paths of righteousness. A man should be learned in all things, so to be prepared for the unexpected, and should be skilled to deal with the ordinary.

A man should be dependable and trustworthy, honest in all of his words and dealings, tactful in his delivery. If you cannot trust his word, his character cannot be trusted.

A man should be willing to give his life in defense of his family, and should be ready to defend them in any situation.

A man should be capable of tending his home, and his property.

A man should be tempered and gentle, soft-spoken and not quick to wrath. He should not deal with his family in anger, but with determined love.

A man should be able to provide for his family, by skill or by trade, yet never willing to depend upon the generosity of others or the state while he is capable of work.

A man should be future minded - planning, and preparing for things to come, yet able to live in the moment and put off the worries of tomorrow, trusting God to care for him.

All of these should flow from a heart that seeks to live a life that is pleasing to God, and that emulates Christ in all of his actions. A real man should be singular in his purpose, and multifaceted in its achievement.

A real man should be wise in his understanding, quick to mirth, slow to anger, diligent in his learning and teaching, and respectful of all he encounters.

There is more that I should say, but words fail me this afternoon.


I endeavor to be the kind of man I have described, yet I fail often. But I trust God to continue to lead and guide me in the ways which He has planned for me.

I hope that someday I will be a man worthy of children, and the responsibility of raising them according to Biblical principles.