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Wilderness Voice
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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2007 02:30 am |
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Being a Man
I have read several times on this board posts that say something similar to: “I really don’t know what it means to be a man,” and, “I’ve never felt like a man and don’t know what that’s supposed to be.”
When I read this, my heart went out to those who said it because for years I could honestly not find it within my heart, my mind, or my soul what being a man meant or felt like. All I knew is that there were many times and perhaps many years, that I did not feel like a man at all. I wasn’t sure what I was, but it certainly wasn’t a man as far as I knew. I guess I just accepted that it was my lot in life to not know, to not really be a man ever.
Well, that all that has changed for me. It was over years of time, but mostly in the last several years where I’ve turned into a real man. A man that God meant for me to be and truly, as there was no other way this would have ever happened, made that way after the works of His Hands. His works have molded and shaped me into a man that knows through and through what that means and what it holds for me. I truly know that God sees me that way and I also see myself that way. This I could never say before, in those earlier years of my life – all that time I was supposed to be a man but really wasn’t.
This would have actually been my first post, but I thought better of it, because you wouldn’t know me at all and it might seem stranger than even what it may be now. But I can assure you that if you knew me personally – my appearance, carriage, actions, speech, habits, and my motives and my thoughts – you would never in a million years picture me as who I was before the works of God had taken deep hold in my life. Never – it would be inconceivable to know me as one person and guess that I would turn out to be the other. It is a miracle wrought by Heaven.
There would be countless points at where to begin this talk, but I’ve prayed for days that God would show me exactly how to bring this forth. I believe there has never been a time more important than now for the men of God to stand up and take their rightful place. Real men, formed in His image. Fathers, whether or not with children, but fathers nevertheless because they are like unto our Father in Heaven. The last two sentences of the Old Testament is a prophecy:
Malachi 4: 5-6: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Now I don’t know if that means that the actual Elijah will be here, or the spirit that rested on Elijah (like Elijah’s mantel that was passed to Elisha as the story goes). But was there ever a time more than now that the hearts of the children and the fathers need to be turned toward one another? The earth is nearly accursed for lack of fathers. And while we might argue this one way or another with our mental faculties, the truth is us men sense it more than ever. How many today say in there hearts “I don’t know what it means to be a man.” I tell you that if we don’t know what it means to be a man, then neither do we know what it really means to be a father. And because of this lack, we are unsure of ourselves in every aspect.
This is why our families are sick – the head is sick – the body cannot overcome that which the head brings to it and it feels so ill at ease and out of place and frightened. Yes the body is frightened at the condition of the head, certain that its spiritual welfare and security are threatened.
So many preachers spend so much time talking about how the man is supposed to be the head of the woman, the head of the house, the head of the spiritual life of the family. But what happens if the head is sick – if the head isn’t really in the place of the head but has sunk and taken up position as the curator of the lower parts of the body? If the mind’s eye sees lust, if the heart desires the fulfillment of lust, if the body of a man obeys the heart and the mind and continually runs to the troth of lust – where is this head? Where is the head? It is not positioned at the top, but at the bottom of the body. Just as the ugly worldly saying that a man is lead around by his penis – (and it would be more appropriate to say he was led around by the fire of lust in his lower belly) – the head has exchanged positions with that which is lower and sexuality is in control. This then spreads to the wife and the family, which deny it or not, are now run by the sexual fires in a man’s gut instead of a real head as it was supposed to be. This body is sick; this head is sick.
So rather than endlessly rehash the obligations of the woman to the head – the man – and this is not to say that she has none – let’s talk about the so easily and cleverly glided over obligations of the man – the head. Men – let the Word open and speak to us what we should be, not in relation to our rights and position, but to what is expected of us by God. What does God wish He would see when He looked at our soul? What plan does God have for us as men and why don’t we feel it – know it – have the confidence of a man of God following in our Father’s footsteps and the example of our brother Jesus?
Let’s look at Ephesians 5, the chapter that is always used for the discourse about being the head, but let’s examine it differently. First of all, the chapter begins by warning Christians not to partake of the terribly sinful things of the world lest they fail the grace of God and being disobedient children, face His Wrath. Then it tells us to have no fellowship with these unfruitful works of darkness but to rather reprove them. It then warns us some more what not to do as Christians and then it begins to speak of how we should live and walk. It is at this point we are told to submit ourselves to one another – the wife to the husband and then vice versa.
We are told to “love our wives.” We could stop there and imagine all the romance and feelings of cherishment and adoration, but we are further told how we are to love our wives: “even as Christ also loved the church.” We could stop there and picture how Christ loves each and everyone of His brethren, the body of His people – how He cares for them, nurtures them, leads them in good paths, prepares them for heaven. We could take that and apply it to ourselves and see how we must care for our wives, feed, clothe, spiritually nurture, lead down the righteous path of life by our example. And, as we prepare for heaven – so they would follow suit as following the head.
O.K. Let’s go ahead and stop here. How many fail already? Is the romance gone, do we cherish and adore them? Are we providing their needs – maybe physically – maybe not – maybe were not stable in our work – maybe we’re not faithful – not true of all – but maybe. Do we follow in paths of righteousness for His names sake? Do we lead beside still waters? Are the clicks we make on the path to an immoral website a path we think our wives should take. Is the porn shop a place of God’s still waters?
Now let’s move on: “and gave Himself for it.” He was crucified for His church. He allowed himself to be tortured and abused for someone else. Are we giving up our flesh nature to the cross for our wives? Do we even do it for ourselves. Have we taken up our cross? Do we win every argument? Do we ignore because we don’t want to be bothered? Do we avoid so that we have time to sin? Do we get angry when the slightest burden is placed upon us? Do we hide from responsibility and expect our mate to handle the hardest things? How many of us fail here?
Now let’s go further: “that He might sanctify.” Oh my! Sanctity. We are going to sanctify our wives when we are not sanctified ourselves? How many of us think that our wives are better than us because we can’t possibly imagine them sinning in their hearts like we do? But then, they become nothing to us in other ways; we’re first and they’re second. (For those of you not married, you can apply all of this to relationships you have with others). So where is our sanctity? We have no sanctity when we harbor the unclean sins that we do. Read the earlier part of Ephesians 5. The whole chapter hangs together as one lesson.
Now let’s go further: “and cleanse it.” Wow! Cleansed? “Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” Are we purged? Clean. Or should we be sitting on the side of the road calling to Jesus: Unclean!! Unclean!! And how to be made clean “by washing of water by the Word.” But do we let the Word wash us? Do we read and believe and understand only that which is sweet and nothing of the cleaning solutions that are harsh chemicals. They do exist in God’s Word, but from the pulpit to the pew they are ignored, brushed over, and turned into something that doesn’t apply to us. This is why we are not clean, the truth has not made us free because we will not listen to the truth. But let us proceed:
“That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Fellow men. Are we without spot or wrinkle or any such thing? Are we holy and without blemish? This is what we are called to be as the head. This is our rightful place. This is the image that God so desires to see when He looks upon us. Be not deceived: if it is not there, it is not there. The works of Christ are real, they are not apprehended by some mental gymnastics, they are a lit candle on a hill for everyone to see. If we have much to hide, then we are not lit by Christ as we should be. And let us not say - "I am sanctified by Faith - I am cleansed by Faith," and have no evidence. That would be as unreal as saying "I am loving by Faith," and not be loving, or "I sacrifice for my wife by Faith," and showing no fruit. We must show forth the fruit of our faith - our faithfulness. Our faithfulness to God and our faithfulness to our wives. Then our Faith is not dead but shows the evidence of the works, making it a living Faith.
Now back to being a man. Not possessing these attributes that are so freely offered to us by Christ is to be without manhood. Heightened and abnormal sexuality will never, never, never make us feel like a man but only like a worm. We will not have the assurance and confidence of manhood while harboring sin that causes our heads to fall from their place. Our manhood will return and flourish as we follow Christ’s footsteps into crucifixion of the flesh nature, the cleansing and sanctifying of our natures. The purging of God.
I may write more on this as God leads. But bless you all my brothers and fellow-men. Do not be cowards, but bow before God, then stand and face that which He wants to deliver unto thee – even if it just kills the flesh nature – it will quicken the Spirit. Then turn and face the enemy of your soul clothed with the whole armor of God. Remember, the Word of God is as a two-edged sword. If it can divide asunder the soul from the spirit, how much more can it cut out the cancer of sin from our very lives. Then you will not be an addict in recovery or maintenance, but a free man. A servant of Christ and not a servant of sin.
The truth shall make you free.
Wilderness Voice
Last edited on Sun Aug 12th, 2007 03:14 am by Wilderness Voice
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truthseeker
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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2007 03:18 am |
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Hi Wilderness Voice,
I hope you won't mind a woman's reflections on this topic.
I believe that the male identity crisis can be placed squarely at the feet of the feminist movement. It may have started seeking equal pay for equal work, and wanting to be recognized for intellect more than appearance, but has resulted in the all to clear message that women and children do not need men. We don't need them as providers, protectors, fathers, or for lifelong companionship. This, of course, is a horrific lie from Satan. The saddest part of all is that the bodies for which they did not wish to be known are flaunted more than ever, in entertainment and on the street, and advertizers, and entertainment capitalize on female sensuality to enslave men to their lusts more than they ever were before Gloria Steinum.
I think that your outline to reclaim God's role for men is well said, and, if you guys seek God's will, I pray that those of you who are single will find one of the women who still appreciate a Godly man.
TruthSeeker
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decide2love
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Posted: Sun Aug 12th, 2007 12:18 pm |
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I agree with TruthSeeker, wholeheartedly.
Just as when Eve turned to Adam and offered him the fruit, he had the choice to say no, the spirit of Eve (the 'womens movement') offered the men of the USA the fruit, they had the choice to say no. And still today there is that choice. Too many men do not think they have a choice because the voice of Eve is so loud and relentless in her moanings and complainings. It has become so easy to just comply and become complacent than to shut her up with the Word of God. (My step dad calls it 'Peace Keeping')
When we women overstep our bounds we need Godly men to correct us in love and simply say NO... that is not the way that Father meant it to be, therefore, it will not be that way. Now let's pray to Him and find out what is going on in your heart and get it corrected, whether it be me or you, let's get this thing taken care of by Him.
Women, the spirit of Eve needs to be broken off our lives and kept broken off us. We need to tell her NO! NO for our daughters, NO for our mothers, and NO for our selves. Our men, our sons, our dads have a great responsibility to us and we need to support and encourage them in the ways of the Lord. Not complain about what the world has to offer us that we think we don't have. We are in the world but we are not supposed to be of the world. We need to do our part so they can do their part. There are so many wives, mothers, daughters who are bitter because they refused to respect and honor their husbands, because they said yes to Eve and demanded what was not meant to be theirs - the position of a man and the lusts of this world. The Word doesn't say to honor and respect our men if they walk in righteousness. It says to do it irregardless of what we percieve their righteousness to be. That's not to say that we become mindless slaves to their every evil whim. It is to say that we honor and respect them as unto Christ - as if we are respecting and honoring Christ Himself.
If we find ourselves and our children sick because our heads, our men, are sick, then we are being influenced by the evil that is within our heads, our men, and therefore within ourselves. We have a responsibility to God, to ourselves, and to our children to go to Him and ask for cleansing of all unrighteousness, to repent ourselves because we allowed - whether knowingly or unknowlingly - ourselves to come under the influence of an unrighteous spirit, and get right with Him for ourselves and for our children.
It is not easy for us women to stop pointing the finger at our husbands sins. Just as they are commanded to love us we are commanded to respect and honor them. If we keep pointing our finger at them, how are they going to see the finger of Father being pointed at them? If we are in their face, how are they going to see the face of Father? If we don't have the Holy Ghost will power to move ourselves then we need to ask Father to move us out of His way and to give us that Holy Ghost will power so we can stay out of His way so He can clean what is unclean in our men. He won't move us without our permission, but the sooner we ask Him to move us the sooner He can and will get to our men, because He wants to, His desire is toward the sanctity and purity of our men so they can become wholly and Holy His, and be able to minister to us in His Holiness. Isn't that what we really want?
If we don't learn how to keep the mouth of Eve shut ourselves and take dominion over that nasty spirit and cast her down and out and we are constantly in the face of our men, how will they ever be built up by us in the Lord? We can not one minute build them up and the next tear them down. A man can take only so many tearing downs before he turns to something he should not be turning to. He WILL find something that builds him up, even if it is at the troth of wickedness. When we don't learn to keep our condemning mouths shut we only condemn ourselves. We will never be truly satisfied as women until we are women of God. We will never be truly satisfied as wives until we poistion ourselves as wives of Christ and minister to our husbands as we would to Christ. We will never be truly satisfied as mothers until our children see the Christ in us and want to emulate that Christ like spirit themselves, therefore rising up and calling us blessed, and walking in that blessing themselves.
A man will not become a man of God with our rantings and ravings about what they are supposed to be like. We need to respectfully and honorably show them the Christ in us, not the Eve. Show them, not preach to them about it, not push them, not coerce them into it, but show them, live it ourselves. This is not to say that they soley rely on our faithfulness, on our sanctity, but how are we going to stand before Father and tell Him that we didn't do our part? The excuse of 'he didn't treat me right' or 'he wouldn't do whatever so I wouldn't do it either' will not fly.
Wilderness Voice, I applaud you on the teaching. I pray that the Lord will more fully give you His Wisdom and His Understanding and that the men and women who read your posts will hear and listen to what the Lord has to say through you.
Forgive me if I've spoken out of turn or spoken in the wrong place, Correct me where I need correcting.
In Christ, Decide2Love
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love&hate
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Posted: Fri Aug 17th, 2007 02:46 am |
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Well i did read this quickly but i just wanted to say thx to Wilderness Voice and decide2love for some great posts!
I am glad i am not the only one to think about this kind of stuff. It is amazing how the world changes and influences a Christians way of thinking. Even many churches and leaders have changed their minds about submission just like they have about the gays & lesbian lifestyle and living together before married.
I am not married however it is clear to me that i can never be the head of a house as God intended if i am always in bondage. Also how is it possible for a woman to submit when their husband is filled with lust instead of the Spirit? Just another reminder of how marriages and lives are messed up by our own evil desires and the tempting of Satan.
Currently i am in a good cycle so i will say this with passion, men submit to God, resist the devil and be leaders!
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Wilderness Voice
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Posted: Sat Aug 18th, 2007 02:17 pm |
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These were great posts. Thank you for adding to this message to the benefit of the souls of the readers.
Truthseeker: yes, the feminist movement was directed by evil forces in what it set out to accomplish, paving the way for abortion and all manners of evil to come forth. But so was the Playboy and Free Love movements in their appeal to the lustful, wanton, and irresponsible nature of man. People like the Rat Pack, Hugh Hefner, and a host of others glorifying a womanizing and partying lifestyle that foreshadowed the degeneracy of the Rock and Roll generation with the likes of the satanic and wanton Mick Jagger and others who simply declare Lucifer to be God and sin to be the treasure of the soul. The poison of both aspects went forth to destroy both the man and the woman and leave both helpless and separated with the children wide open to the enemy. But I believe that you perceive correctly here, that the woman should close the door first. Not because she is to blame the most, but because this is her right. “I will put enmity between thee and the woman” and her seed will “bruise thy [the serpent’s] head.” Let the woman be clothed with the “Son” and place the moon of nature (the lesser reflection of the higher life above) beneath her feet and the stars above her head (the influences of heaven upon her mind) and let her bring forth the Manchild. Since Eve was the first to bring the pair into this existence, let Eve now bring them back out. Let her man become as a child (innocent) before God, and yet, possess the manhood that he rightfully should.
Decide2Love: such passion for the Lord you have! This is a gift of God. Most don’t realize it, but Love for God is the greatest gift of all. “The greatest of these is Love.” Love is from the very Heart of God. It is the essence of His Nature. It is that which flowed through Jesus’ veins in His Blood. To have a deep love for God is the most honorable mark upon a soul. A banner waves above the head of those who love God.
The only thing that I might say about your post is that it is more correctly the “voice of the serpent” and not the “voice of Eve” that operates in today’s world. Yes, Eve listened, and let the spirit behind the serpent influence her. But it is the same in today’s world, the serpent speaks and both men and women listen. And the serpent can be extremely ugly coming forth in the negative nature of either the female or the male. This is the nature we are to crucify. But Eve herself has been forgiven and redeemed by God. God dearly loved Adam and Eve. They were and are very important to Him which is why He placed them in the position that He did. God knew that the potential was there for things to go one way or the other and had foreordained plans for both events. But mankind was given the choice, even as we are today.
Thank you for your appreciation, L&AH. God has performed a tremendous work in my life else these things would not be possible. Without His Holy Spirit, none of this would come forth and my life would be the dung heap that it had been before the Grace of God redeemed it.
These things said, go and read the Adam and Eve post.
Wilderness Voice
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