The Five Doctrines of the Autonomous Christian Man
Temperance is self-control in all things. Sometimes, I must tell myself “No” when I must not do something. Other times, I must tell myself “Yes” when I must do something. Temperance is a “fruit of the Spirit” according to Galatians 5:22-23. It is something the Holy Spirit produces in my Christian life, meaning the Lord gets credit for changing me and I take none for myself (Philippians 2:13). And yet it can also be learned and practiced as the Lord produces this virtue in me (2 Peter 1:5-6). Temperance must then be a cooperation between myself and the Lord. I must yield to the Lord’s revealed Word, and He helps me control myself. Implementing any and all Christian virtues will require controlling myself and being under the Lord’s control. Temperance then is foundational to the other Five Doctrines of Christian Manhood. (See also Proverbs 25:28).
TEMPERANCE
As men, we desire honor. We naturally want to be reverenced and remembered well. I believe God made this desire innate in men so that we might be productive and be satisfied with our different types of growth (Galatians 6:4). However, the Bible teaches, “Before honor, is humility.” (Proverbs 18:12b). I must learn to be humble first before I can ever expect honor. According to Philippians chapter 2, humility is self-sacrificial, considering itself “of no reputation” and taking on “the form of a servant” and being “obedient unto death”. It is imperative to know that before I can ever be “highly exalted” I must humble myself. (See Philippians 2:3-9).
HUMILITY
As a man, I must protect in several ways: As a wise steward, I am 1) Not to permit someone to harm me or those under my care. 2) With a balanced perspective, I am to trust the Lord to protect me using the skills I acquire. And, 3) With prudence, I am to remain calmly aware and alert to potential threats. I also acknowledge that certain scenarios may someday exist in which I may be called upon to lay down my life like our Christian forbearers instead of defending myself, and that I should have the discernment to choose wisely in such moments. (see Psalm 127:3, Proverbs 22:3. Genesis 14:14-16, Matthew 24:43)
PROTECTION
As a man, I must provide material means for those in my care. I must diligently and wisely use the resources available to me. I am to provide in such a way that I can 1) Provide for the Lord’s work to continue and prosper in and through my local church, 2) Provide sufficiently for my family’s material needs both present and future, 3) Provide, as best I can, for an inheritance to my children’s children, and 4) Provide an honorable testimony to all that my use of material means honors the Lord. (See 1 Timothy 5:8, Genesis 2:24, 1 Peter 3:7, Proverbs 21:5, Proverbs 12:27, Proverbs 22:29).
PROVISION
As a man, I must recognize that leadership is not the same thing as “patriarchy” or “privilege”. Also, it is not domination, tyranny, authoritarianism, or heavy-handedness. Instead, leadership 1) Does the hard thing first in order to encourage others to follow. 2) Has reasoned answers for things instead of saying “Because I said so”. 3) Speaks from an authority higher than itself, specifically the Word of God. (See John 13:12-15, 1 Timothy 4:12, Philippians 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:2, 1 Peter 5:3).