Term 1 | Lecturer: Ps Mervin Jayaseela
The Patterns of Fallen Manhood#
Last week we asked the question: who or what defines your identity as a man? From the traditional man - which was sometimes toxic - to the passive, progressive, or sensitive man, to the lone man who is disconnected, tough, and alone.
What defines your identity? Role, status, money, looks, achievements?
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” - Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)
The silence of Adam builds into a few other common struggles.
Hiding and Blame-Shifting#
“And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” - Genesis 3:9-12 (KJV)
In shame and failure, the tendency is to hide and to sink away from taking responsibility. He hides from God. When he is asked why he is hiding, he admits he is ashamed. He tried to cover it with leaves. Then he blames his wife and even God. Adam is still not willing to take responsibility for his silence and betrayal.
These are common behaviors of men.
Unfruitfulness#
“And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” - Genesis 3:17-19 (KJV)
Here we see the striving for fruitfulness, the oppression or the withdrawal. The whole purpose becomes to perform, to gather riches, the insecurity and fear of losing it, the distrust and neglect of family and marriage to build an empire. This oppression to build his own kingdom - forgetting he was called to be a joint heir and build God’s Kingdom.
Rejection#
“So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” - Genesis 3:24 (KJV)
Here we see the complete rejection from presence and communion. The tending and protecting becomes cursed toil. He must now strive to survive.
Jesus, the Son of God#
A Godly man seeks to imitate Jesus Christ in all areas of his life. He is a man of integrity, who keeps his word and lives with honesty and transparency. He is a man of prayer, regularly seeking God’s wisdom and guidance. He is a man of action, willing to step up and take responsibility when needed. And he is a man of compassion, loving and serving others with the heart of Christ.
Jesus, the God-Man, is portrayed in the Scriptures as the only perfect man. He is the perfect example of what one should strive to be. Jesus exemplifies true manhood in every way. While He is the Savior and Lord of both men and women, He lived in a man’s body, experiencing the same struggles, expectations, and conflicts of a fallen world.
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” - 1 Peter 2:21-22 (KJV)
“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” - 1 John 2:6 (KJV)
Breaking the Stronghold of Rejection: The Identity of Sonship#
The Sonship that our Father in Heaven offers us through the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most powerful part of our identity in Christ as Godly men. Despite the Adamic mistakes we inherited and copy - the fall, failures to protect, rejection, unfruitfulness, loss of power and authority, and the curse of forever searching for identity in work, performance, sexuality, and success - Jesus comes to restore and resurrect the essence in each of us.
“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:17 (KJV)
Jesus in His humanness begins with the Father in Heaven speaking, thundering “This is my son - the son I love and am pleased with.” Revelations of Sonship define all of Jesus’ choices, values, and motivations.
Note: His human history is not remarkable. Unwed mother. Herod tried to kill him as an infant. Refugee in Egypt. Returning not to his homeland but to an unknown remote town called Nazareth. Not married at 30, despite the expectation from society. Not a great start.
We too have received the spirit of sonship. We can break out of the rejected, orphan, victim identity and the curse of performance that drives us. We are free from the fear of failure. We don’t have to cover our shame with leaves or blame our wife and blame God.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” - Romans 8:14-16 (KJV)
Recreating the Garden: Prayer and Intimacy#
Jesus restored and recreated a place of intimacy and communion with God. He tore the dividing curtain, cleansed us by His blood, and made us holy to enter the presence of God. He reinstated a place of communion, where we can pray, speak, intercede, and hear the voice of God.
A Godly Man knows how to enter the presence of God. He knows he needs to hear the voice of God. He does not trust his inferior evaluation, his opinion, his pride, his independence, but seeks the will and the voice of God.
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” - John 5:30 (KJV)
Jesus withdrew from the demands of life and voices demanding his attention, and found a place to be alone with God. He was up early to seek a lonely place to seek his Father - this was his lifeline. His life was defined by the time he spent in the presence of God.
“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” - Mark 1:35 (KJV)
Reclaiming Power and Authority: Be Full of the Holy Spirit#
A Godly man is full of the Holy Spirit. His nature, shaped by the Holy Spirit, is characterized by love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He reflects the nature of Christ. His spirit cries out, “Abba, Father.” He is endowed with divine wisdom, power, and authority. His boldness, courage, and voice are restored.
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:” - Matthew 3:16 (KJV)
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” - Romans 8:13-15 (KJV)
The more we walk in the Spirit, the more we do not want to walk in sinful flesh. That cowardly hiding, lying, passivity - that nature to withdraw and be passive - falls away. The calling, authority, and dominion of Christ is restored.
Restore the Foundation: Lay Down Your Life#
Jesus laid down His life at the cross, which is the foundation of the church. He absolutely surrendered to God. We men need to rebuild the broken foundations of generations by laying down our lives for our wives, families, society, and the people we serve. This act breaks the selfish, entitled, and immature flesh in us, restoring us as secure, responsible, Godly men.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” - Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)
“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20:27-28 (KJV)
Choose the Will and Work of God: Restore Fruitfulness#
Dying to selfish ambition, the desire to make a name for oneself, and building one’s own empire opens the door to Satan. Jesus, too, was tempted in these same areas. A Godly man seeks with all his heart the King’s will and His work, confident that as a Son, God will take care of every deep need in his life.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” - Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” - John 4:34 (KJV)
The fear of obedience is because we don’t trust God. The security of work, income, and finances we cling to - and fear and insecurity have become a stronghold in the mind. Give up the need to be a success in your own eyes, because it is that which has been disappointing you.
We need to live a life of faith and not fear. It will look different for each one of us. But the lack of fear will look the same.
Conclusion#
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” - Hebrews 3:12-13 (KJV)
The identity of sonship is not just a theological concept - it is the most practical thing a man can receive. When you know you are a beloved son, you no longer need to hide, blame, perform, or strive. You can lead, protect, cultivate, provide, and love - from security, not from fear.