Rethinking Masculinity: Embracing Courage, Truth, and Integrity

Not Safe, But Good: Rethinking Masculinity in Light of Jesus

What comes to mind when you think of a godly man? Perhaps you envision a kind, gentle, and agreeable man who is always willing to lend a helping hand. While these are all admirable traits, they are not the only qualities that define biblical masculinity. In fact, when we look at Jesus, we see a man who was bold, assertive, and unafraid to speak truth, even when it was unpopular.

As we rethink masculinity in light of Jesus, we must acknowledge that being a godly man is not about being safe, but about being good. It’s about living a life of sacrificial love, courage, and integrity, even when it means going against the grain.

The Problem with "Nice" Christianity

Many of us have grown up with a version of Christianity that values niceness above all else. We’ve been taught that being a good Christian means being agreeable, non-confrontational, and always putting others first. While these are certainly important qualities, they can also be a mask for cowardice.

When we prioritize niceness over truth, we can end up compromising our convictions and failing to stand up for what is right. This is not the kind of masculinity that Jesus exemplified. He was not afraid to challenge the status quo, to call out hypocrisy, and to speak truth, even when it meant facing persecution and death.

Consider Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees in Matthew 23. He calls them out for their hypocrisy, calling them “whitewashed tombs” and “snakes” (v. 27-33). This is not the kind of language we would typically associate with a “nice” person, let alone a godly man. But Jesus was not concerned with being nice. He was concerned with speaking truth and exposing the religious leaders’ hypocrisy.

The Courage to Stand Alone

Another quality that defines biblical masculinity is courage. The Bible is full of examples of men who were willing to stand up for what is right, even when it meant going against the crowd.

Consider the story of Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6). When King Darius signed a decree forbidding anyone from praying to any god except him, Daniel continued to pray to God, even though he knew it could mean his death. When he was caught and thrown into the lion’s den, God miraculously saved him.

Or consider the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). When King Nebuchadnezzar commanded everyone to worship a golden statue, these three men refused, even though they knew it could mean their deaths. They were thrown into a furnace, but God protected them and they emerged unharmed.

These men were not concerned with their own safety or popularity. They were concerned with obeying God and standing up for what is right. This is the kind of courage that defines true masculinity.

Integrity in All Things

Finally, biblical masculinity is characterized by integrity. This means living a life of honesty, consistency, and authenticity, even when no one is watching.

Consider the story of Joseph in Genesis 39. When he was sold into slavery in Egypt, he found favor with his master Potiphar and was put in charge of his household. But when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, Joseph refused, saying, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (v. 9).

Joseph’s integrity was not just about avoiding sin. It was about living a life of consistency and authenticity, even in the face of temptation. When he was falsely accused and thrown into prison, he continued to trust in God and serve others. And in the end, God used his faithfulness to save an entire nation from famine.

Rethinking Masculinity in Light of Jesus

When we look at Jesus and the men of the Bible, we see a different kind of masculinity than what our culture often portrays. Biblical masculinity is not about being safe, comfortable, or popular. It’s about living a life of sacrificial love, courage, and integrity, even when it means going against the grain.

As we rethink masculinity in light of Jesus, we must also acknowledge the harm that toxic masculinity has caused. The kind of masculinity that values dominance, aggression, and control is not biblical masculinity. It is a distortion of what God intended for men.

But we must also resist the temptation to swing too far in the other direction, to embrace a kind of masculinity that is weak, passive, and non-confrontational. This is not the kind of masculinity that Jesus exemplified, and it does not reflect the strength and courage that God has called men to exhibit.

Instead, let us embrace a masculinity that is not safe, but good. Let us be men who are willing to stand up for what is right, even when it means facing opposition. Let us be men who are willing to speak truth, even when it is unpopular. Let us be men who live lives of sacrificial love, integrity, and courage, just like Jesus did.

References

• Matthew 23


• Daniel 6


• Daniel 3


• Genesis 39