Three things every Christian guy should know
Dating, porn, life goals and more – we've got solid truths Christian guys need to hear.
If you're a young Christian guy, we've got good news and bad news.
The good news is, God has given you a unique place in the world to make an impact for him.
He has gifted you with talents, skills, strengths and brains that if used wisely, could just change the world.
The bad news is, the world is going to try and get in your way.
No matter how pure your intentions, you will be faced with an onslaught of temptations and trials that will make you want to give up... or just become like everyone else.
With that in mind, these are the three things we want you to remember as you go forward in the world.
1. You need to learn self control as a huge priority
Guys, you are probably already facing a whole range of temptations in your life.
And if you want to make it to the finish line and be welcomed into the arms of Christ, then learning to resist temptation and control your impulses is going to be key.
Let me list just a few practical reasons why self control should be right at the top of your priority list:
- Self control is so important to young guys that the Bible highlights it for us: "Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled" – Titus 2:6
- Self control will help provide the inner strength you need to succeed in lots of areas of life
- Without self control, temptations like porn, casual sex, greed and idolatory could quickly ruin your faith, your love life and your finances
2. Your life goals are not your purpose
The truth is, a lot of guys get fixated on what they're going to do in the future – their so-called life goals.
Many have a picture of 'the perfect man' in the head which includes a great job, awesome car, beautiful wife/girlfried, etc. etc.
Let's be honest. You don't get those life goals from reading the Bible. That stuff comes straight out of the movies and TV. And it's dangerous.
While God may bless you with all of the above, there's a good chance he doesn't want to.
That's because your purpose is not about achieving life goals. It's not about what job you get. It's not about who you marry.
Your purpose is to love God and love other people. That's it.
There will be lots of times that you will feel like a failure because you didn't achieve the same massive life goals as everyone else. Don't let it get to you.
Those things don't matter. What matters is whether you have been faithful to Jesus, and done your very best to love God and love other people.
3. The man you want to become is Jesus
If you've watched a few movies, you've probably noticed that a lot of them have a single male lead character.
Usually he's pretty tough, good-looking ... and knows how to treat the ladies.
If you're a young guy, the film-makers behind these movies desperately want you to think "I want to become like this lead character".
They're hoping that if you start thinking that, you'll become committed to the movie, and you'll watch every sequel that comes out.
Don't fall for it!
You don't want to become like those guys. You want to become like Jesus.
Jesus doesn't want you to be a tough guy. He wants you to admit your weakness and trust in his strength.
Jesus doesn't care if you're good looking. He wants you to look like your father in Heaven – loving, just, kind, gracious.
Jesus doesn't want you to use women for your own selfish purposes. He wants you to love women, to protect their honour, and to put their needs first.
The choices you make now about the Christian guy you're going to be today will shape the Christian man you become in the future.
So choose wisdom. Choose faithfulness. Choose love. And choose Jesus.
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