Raising Manly Sons

This world is in a constant campaign to make it men less and less manly. And no wonder; the manly man is a conqueror and will not tolerate Satan's advancement in his areas of leadership. Satan wants men who are to sissy to stand against him. Christians have slacked duty to raise man men. Too many Christian men are run by their wives or by the women of the church. Too many men have rolled over and allowed women to usurp authority over them. It's time for Christian families to raise their sons to be manly men. 


Some suggestions:
1. Get them outside
Let them breathe the air and pretend to do battle with great enemies. Don't take away their toy guns and knives but teach them to use them responsibly. Graduate them to the real thing early.
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2. Let them get hurt
Bumps and bruises and scars are a part of manly process. Moms can be over protective. Let them bleed a little and don't coddle them when they do.

3. Show them your battle wounds
They don't have to be real scars. Tell them stories of your own adventures.

4. Get them around men
Boys should be around their dads a lot. They need to see dad working, sweating and "swinging a sword" so to speak. Boys should be around men who work hard and are glad to do it. When my oldest son was just nine or ten years old he walked up to one of the most well known pastors in our country, held out his hand to shake the preacher's and introduced himself. That preacher turned to me shocked and impressed. My son had grown up around preachers and was not intimidated by them. Boys should respect men, not be afraid of them.

5. Pray for them and encourage them in their own battles
Even the toughest soldier needs encouragement and some time for healing now and then. Pray with and for your sons. Encourage them when they have to endure a battle. Relieve them if you can; but don't fight their fight for them, don't protect them to much from their battle and for sure don't baby them while they develop their manly skills.

There is a balance between tough and tender. Real men are thoughtful and studious as well as tough and courageous. Just don't steal their manliness in your desire to make them your sweethearts.