Man of Character: What is it???

[WileyCoyote]

Hello, folks. I would like to get your opinion on what a man of character is. I'm obviously speaking of godly, moral character. How does a man of character conduct himself? How does he interact with the opposite sex? How does he interact with society in general? Where do you get your opinion on what a man of character is? Society? Experience? The Word of God?

Is there any correlation between being a "real man" and being a man of character? Thank you in advance for your responses.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

A good soldier (of Jesus/ in God's Kingdom) does NOT entangle himself in the

things of this world.

Qualities of a Soldier of Christ - Inspired Walk
www.inspiredwalk.com/379/equipped-for-spiritual-warfare
2 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

 

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

Back when I was growing up a "real man" was someone that could take and give a punch, hold his liquor, and score with a female. Obviously, anyone who is in Christ; old things have passed away and new things have and are coming forth. As for you, OP, it seems you have a fairly good starting point for the answers you're looking for. Good luck

 

[com7fy8]

One thing I think of, right away, is how Paul and Silvanus and Timothy say they related with the Thessalonians >

"as a nursing mother cherishes her own children" > in 1 Thessalonians 2:7.

So, from this I see that these great men were able to learn from nursing mothers how to love and care for the Thessalonians. So, these men were not anti-women, to say the least, but they could learn from Christian women . . . not only learn information and beliefs and explanations, but learn how to love.

In God's love is the best of how to care for people > the best of how God has a mother tenderly care for her children, and the best of how a father exhorts and comforts and charges "his own children" > 1 Thessalonians 2:11.

In God's one love they had the ability to love the way both a mother and a father care for their children.

How does he interact with the opposite sex?

Jesus says not to lust for a woman, in our hearts. And I have been getting corrected so in my imagination I am not using women, but loving them and caring for them in prayer when I see and think of women. So, in my actual experience I am getting corrected, so I do not use women even in the secret of my imagination.

And be kind to ones who are wrong somehow. Do not look down on them because I can't use them the way I might want. But care for every one.

How does he interact with society in general?

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men," (1 Timothy 2:1)

So, in dealing with society and politicians and religious leaders > "first of all", Paul says > pray for these people . . . not first criticize or promote them, not first try to control them, but first pray with hope of all God is able to do to personally bless each one. God cares about every leader personally, not first wanting to only use the person to do what other people want and dictate.

Where do you get your opinion

scripture and prayer and experience of how God corrects me and has me more and more in how His peach rules me > Colossians 3:15, and how I would say He simply has me understand scripture and people and things of my life and my thinking.

Example > be a person who leads by example > example in God's sight (1 Peter 3:4), with God working things and people in relation to how He knows we really are with Him in His love and personal guiding in His peace > Colossians 3:15.

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3)

Depending on what God will do with what we do > like Abraham >

"'In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.'" (Genesis 22:18)

 

[Rigatoni]

After the previous thread that had an underlying resentment of men and implications of us being pigs or dogs, this is a welcomed thread to see.

I think it's important to distinguish a "man" verses a "man of God." A man is someone which masculine qualities. He could be selfish, rude, disrespectful, etc., yet still qualify as a "man." A man of God is someone who at his core lives a life of dying to self and living for God. The citadel of his heart has God at the center, and he aims to advance God's will rather than his own.

Before defining what a man of character is, I think it's important to establish the character itself. Character is a man's nature - that which makes him who he is, and different from others. It's his true self that shows when he's tested. A man of good or godly character is someone who reflects God Himself with his actions. He is respectful, kind, brave, a lover of good, balanced / collected, wise, determined, patient, caring, slow to anger, open minded, supportive, selfless, strong and confident. He is both a leader and a protector. He knows what he wants, gets things done, defends what / whom he loves and takes the initiative.

 

[WileyCoyote]

After the previous thread that had an underlying resentment of men and implications of us being pigs or dogs, this is a welcomed thread to see.

This thread was inspired by the one you speak of.

 

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

I have to say, however, that while "white knighting" might be an endearing trait to some people; most of that is masquerade doting which is in itself is not healthy. A lot of these types of people I've run into, when the rubber meets the road, are secretly jealous and insecure themselves. And one way they make up for it is to play that role, and what is usually does is end up getting them burnt by women in the long run. And if they manage to avoid this, then many become disillusioned at years of being the good guy with noone meaningful to show for it. So I'd be sure to differentiate.

 

[com7fy8]

A man is someone which masculine qualities. He could be selfish, rude, disrespectful, etc., yet still qualify as a "man." A man of God is someone who at his core lives a life of dying to self and living for God.

And a lady of Jesus also has this character . . . godly. And Jesus is "gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (in Matthew 11:28-30)

So, he . . . like ladies also need to do, does everything in submission to Jesus in rest for our souls . . . more and better as we all grow in Jesus. And we relate how Jesus in us has us relating >

"with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love," (Ephesians 4:2)

And our love is God's love > all-loving > so we love any and all people >

"For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?" Jesus says, in Matthew 5:46. People can be selfish lovers, picking and choosing who they feel is worth loving, who they want to use and possess and control.

In my personal experience of God's correction and revelation, I have been taught that love does not have us just using any person; but God is personal in how He loves, not distant > so He has me also more and more personally caring for each and every person . . . ready with love's example to help any other person find out how to love.

So, in Jesus we become more and more all-loving. And this makes us more and more able to relate as family in tender sharing and caring >

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)

 

[timewerx]

Have a large bucket of ice cream spill on his shirt, pants in a crowded mall to the crowd's surprise and not mind, even crack a joke, and continue eating.

Now that is a man of character!