crashed race car

The Reckoning of Reckless Manhood

In Articles, Culture, Life Issues, Masculinity, Social Issues by Kirk Giles

We are living in a historic moment. It is one of those moments where God is at work to bring justice, but we rarely stop to consider it as something God may be doing.  This is the reckoning of reckless manhood.

This reckoning seems to have started with the “Me Too” movement [some] years ago. Over the last several weeks, we have seen it continue to unfold in the world of professional hockey. Coaches in Calgary and Dallas have lost their jobs over “unprofessional conduct.” In addition, a couple of stories came out about some of the controversial coaching methods used by former Toronto Maple Leaf coach Mike Babcock.

In another recent story, a news reporter in Georgia was covering a 5k race live on the air. During her report, a man came from behind her and “slapped her behind.” News reports are describing this man as a “married youth minister.”

These are only a few of the dozens (maybe hundreds or thousands) of stories that have become public over the last couple of years. We have seen very public figures (both Christian and non-Christian) have their sins brought into the light. We should be appalled, but also encouraged that sin is being called out.

Each story breaks my heart and frustrates me beyond what I can describe. There are so many people whose lives are impacted by reckless manhood.

5 Ways To Respond To This Reckoning

The reckoning of reckless manhood also presents an opportunity. As difficult of a time as this is for so many people, I believe God is at work to reveal the dark side of reckless manhood. God brings the darkness of sin into the light. He is helping to prepare the way for His true vision of what masculinity looks like.

Here are 5 ways to respond in a God honouring way to this reckoning:

1. Ask God to search you – and change direction.

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.”

2. Gain a God honouring vision for masculinity.

So much of what we believe it means to be a man is defined by what we have learned from society. Make the effort to understand how God has designed us to protect, provide, and bring life to others.

3. Train yourself for godliness.

1 Timothy 4:7 teaches us to train ourselves for godliness. It’s not enough to have a healthy vision for being a man, it takes the work of training yourself in order to become this man. Your physical health doesn’t just happen – it takes training and effort. Your spiritual health is even more important. Connect yourself with other men and with resources that can help you all year long.

4. Bring broken men to the grace of God.

In 2 Samuel 12:13-14 we read part of the story of Nathan and David. Nathan had just confronted David with his sin against Bathsheba and her husband Uriah. A real man is not afraid to confront
another man with his sin. Nathan helps David understand his sin, receive God’s forgiveness and grace, and still prepared him for the physical consequences his sin had created.

We don’t want to just kick broken men while they are down. We need to help them know God’s grace and love.

5. Teach other men to press in and become the man God wants them to be.

2 Timothy 2:2 “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. We need faithful men to help train more faithful men. We cannot leave men to figure this out on their own. Become a man who disciples other men – there is a specialized course that could really help you with this.

Celebrate the Faithful Men

The reckoning we are living in has also raised to my attention the number of incredible, faithful men I see every day. They are the unsung heroes in our culture. They love their kids, respect and honour women, and work hard in whatever they are doing. All around you are faithful men and they need you to encourage them. Let them know you see their faithfulness and you appreciate who they are and all they bring to the world.

The way we will help to raise the bar of manhood is to celebrate the men who are pressing in to be all God has made them to be. This will help the world to see a better vision for masculinity.

About
Kirk Giles
Kirk Giles is the co-lead pastor of Forward Church in Cambridge, ON. He was formerly the President of Impactus (when it was known as Promise Keepers Canada). However, his most important roles as a man are husband to Shannon and father to Carter, Joshua, Sydney and Samuel. He is also the author of The Seasons of Fatherhood.
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Kirk Giles
Kirk Giles is the co-lead pastor of Forward Church in Cambridge, ON. He was formerly the President of Impactus (when it was known as Promise Keepers Canada). However, his most important roles as a man are husband to Shannon and father to Carter, Joshua, Sydney and Samuel. He is also the author of The Seasons of Fatherhood.