Man up! What does this mean to you?

[teresa]

Man-up! What does this mean to you?

What exactly is this teaching based upon, other than judeo-christian teachings?

Men, has this teaching hurt you in real life?

Any examples from real life welcome

Thank you

 

[Call me Nic]

Men, how has this hurt you in real life?

Why do you assume it has hurt men?

 

[teresa]

Why do you assume it has hurt men?

I rephrased it to better convey my meaning.

 

[RDKirk]

Man-up! What exactly is this teaching based upon, other than judeo-christian teachings?

Men, has this teaching hurt you in real life?

What do you think the teaching of "man up" actually is?

And do you really think ancient Roman or Spartan youth weren't told to "man up?"

 

[Call me Nic]

If I were to answer this honestly, in my own opinion, the idea to "man up" is to put away childish things and submit to God's authority (1 Corinthians 13:11). It is to hunger and thirst after God's righteousness (Matthew 5:6), and to love one's wife, family, and friends and to provide for them (1 Timothy 5:8). Being a man means to prioritize the important things in life and deny oneself so that the Lord may guide him according to his will (Luke 9:23, John 3:30).

 

[teresa]

What do you think the teaching of "man up" actually is?

And do you really think ancient Roman or Spartan youth weren't told to "man up?"

RDKirk, I really like your question, so I rephrased the title to convey that meaning. Thank you. God bless you.

 

[GeorgeJ]

Not sure what it means anymore.

Not too many men in the younger generations nowadays. Just a bunch of whining, blubbering 21st century pansies.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Man up means to fight when challenged even if it means getting your jaw broken (although I personally prefer a 'strategic advance in the other direction').

 

[PloverWing]

Man-up! What does this mean to you?

I hear the phrase as meaning something like "be a grown-up and take responsibility". It's especially relevant if there's some task that lies ahead that nobody wants to do, because it's unpleasant or scary or difficult or whatever, but it's gotta be done anyway -- so someone steps up and takes on the task and does it.

I like the phrase, except for its gender-specific nature; it does imply that taking responsibility is a masculine activity. I tend to avoid gendered phrases like "man up" or "be a man", if what I really mean is "be an adult". My daughter, who holds a black belt in martial arts but is not a man, tends to use the phrase "black belt up" for these situations.

 

[Universal Love]

I think the term typically has a an aggressive nature to it. Meaning you should be tougher, or more like <insert person of influence>. The unfortunate thing is that man-up usually means being mean, harsh, hard, or difficult. It does personify the values of God-centered man.

I didn't see anyone telling Abraham to man up when he handed over his wife. Or what about Peter when he denied Jesus? Yet I do believe there is value to this value to the term "man-up".

In today's society we as people are taking a back seat. We often "man-up" when it's something against our personal desires, but rarely do we extend that same offer. What I mean is, are we doing the God-centered actions for others. Did you ever feel that silent voice telling you to speak up for God, talk about God, be kind or love a stranger? Did you ignore it?

What about all the people running away from being a parent? Whether that's deciding on abortion, adoption, or leaving the home all together. Maybe for others its a lesser thing like giving the kids TV or video games so you can be absent in other ways. Wouldn't our culture be drastically different if we "man-up" here?

I believe as God-centered people Jesus offered us an opportunity to redefine what it means to man-up. Man-up means to lay once self down in service for others. To love other sometime beyond societies standard boundaries. Man-up is pursuing others with a God-love and a God-mind and not one of the flesh.

 

[Halbhh]

Man-up! What does this mean to you?

What exactly is this teaching based upon, other than judeo-christian teachings?

Men, has this teaching hurt you in real life?

Any examples from real life welcome

Thank you

The only time I ever encountered that saying said to me personally (including in any public speech, lecture, sermon, etc.) as best I can remember was in the Southwestern United States during Jr. High school over 40 years ago, and at that time as said it meant something roughly like this --

"...man up..." --> Act more like I think you should act and play full contact football on the school team cause we need your body to help our team.

Wisely, I declined to "man up" in that way.

Of course, today,in another context and place and time it likely means something different.

I'm pessimistic that it might be meant to be something really great like: Take responsibility.

Sure, it might mean something really good like that at times. You just have to pay attention to what they are wanting.

I don't really follow men. Instead, we are to follow Christ, and do as He says.

But sometimes people can say wise things. You just have to carefully compare what they say to what Christ says, and only use what lines up fully with Him.

 

[-Luca]

"Coward! You are supposed to be a man, if you cannot even do that then what are you?"

"Pathetic", they all call him.

 

[Halbhh]

If I were to answer this honestly, in my own opinion, the idea to "man up" is to put away childish things and submit to God's authority (1 Corinthians 13:11). It is to hunger and thirst after God's righteousness (Matthew 5:6), and to love one's wife, family, and friends and to provide for them (1 Timothy 5:8). Being a man means to prioritize the important things in life and deny oneself so that the Lord may guide him according to his will (Luke 9:23, John 3:30).

Love it. That's a lot better man up than the old kind.

 

[RDKirk]

RDKirk, I really like your question, so I rephrased the title to convey that meaning. Thank you. God bless you.

The Christian meaning of "man up" was neatly expressed by Nicolaus Mourer in post #5.

 

[PloverWing]

I see that the term gets used in more toxic ways than I was aware of.

 

[teresa]

I hear the phrase as meaning something like "be a grown-up and take responsibility". It's especially relevant if there's some task that lies ahead that nobody wants to do, because it's unpleasant or scary or difficult or whatever, but it's gotta be done anyway -- so someone steps up and takes on the task and does it.

I like the phrase, except for its gender-specific nature; it does imply that taking responsibility is a masculine activity. I tend to avoid gendered phrases like "man up" or "be a man", if what I really mean is "be an adult". My daughter, who holds a black belt in martial arts but is not a man, tends to use the phrase "black belt up" for these situations.

Yes, I think I can see what you mean....so does woman up mean something much less, such as making a weak choice?

You make a very interesting point!

 

[teresa]

Did you ever feel that silent voice telling you to speak up for God, talk about God, be kind or love a stranger? Did you ignore it?

good question! where did the message of what is a real man, according to jesus teachings, such as the good samaritan, get lost on our supposed Christian society here in america?

when and why did it take a turn into being something more violent?

 

[teresa]

"Coward! You are supposed to be a man, if you cannot even do that then what are you?"

"Pathetic", they all call him.

what descriptors do you think define a man in todays society?

 

[teresa]

I see that the term gets used in more toxic ways than I was aware of.

hazing rituals come to mind plover

 

[teresa]

The unfortunate thing is that man-up usually means being mean, harsh, hard, or difficult. It does personify the values of God-centered man.

a god centered man doesn't behave this way, yet in america it has gotten twisted, do you agree?