The Tough Truth About Our Role As Men

Good morning, brothers and fellow Patriarchs.

In today’s society, men are often the target of blame—whether it's "toxic masculinity" or the claim that everything wrong is somehow our fault.

While I reject most of this narrative, there’s one truth we can’t ignore: men have a lot of responsibility. But with that responsibility comes great power.

You know the saying, "With great power comes great responsibility"? It’s not just a Spiderman quote—it’s biblical. Let’s dive into God’s Word and see what He says about it.

And remember, no matter what you're facing, God loves you, bro. Nothing is beyond the reach of Jesus’ love.

Let’s go!

Genesis 3:6-7: 1:26-27 -  ⁶ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Read Genesis 3

Genesis 3 is a confronting passage, especially for us as men. It reveals three critical responsibilities we hold as men—responsibilities that, when neglected, can lead ourselves and our families astray. These three areas are:

1. Leadership

2. Communication

3. Accountability

Let's break down how Adam fell short in these areas and what we can learn from it.

1. Leadership

At the heart of this passage is the failure of Adam’s leadership. Though Eve was tempted first, the Bible is clear that the responsibility ultimately fell on Adam. Romans 5:12 tells us, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned."

For a long time, I misunderstood this story—I thought Adam wasn’t around when Eve gave him the fruit. But the truth is, "She gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." Adam was right there! He saw everything unfold and did nothing to stop it. It’s like standing by and watching someone about to step onto a broken bridge, knowing it's dangerous, but saying nothing. Adam allowed Satan to twist God's words and tempt Eve into doubting God's goodness.

This is where Adam should have stepped up. He was called to lead his wife, to protect her, and to steer both of them away from disobedience. But instead, he stood silent.

2. Communication

Adam also failed in his responsibility to communicate God’s instructions clearly. As men, God calls us to lead our families spiritually. We are tasked with making sure God’s truth is known and followed in our homes.

Adam failed to remind Eve of what God had said or to explain the consequences of disobedience. When the serpent questioned God's words, Adam should have stepped in. But instead, he stayed silent, and his lack of communication left Eve vulnerable to temptation.

We must not make the same mistake. We need to clearly communicate God's Word and His expectations in our homes—lovingly, but firmly—so that our families are equipped to stand strong against the attacks of the enemy.

3. Accountability

When God came looking for Adam and Eve after they sinned, notice who He called for first: Adam.

"But the Lord God called to the man, 'Where are you?'" (Genesis 3:9)

God called Adam to account, because Adam had been given the responsibility to lead. But instead of owning his failure, Adam shifted the blame. He said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." In essence, Adam blamed not only Eve but also God for his failure.

Blame-shifting is a natural response to sin, but it’s not the right one. As men, we need to take responsibility for our actions. When things go wrong—whether it's in leading, communicating, or protecting our families—we must own up to our mistakes. Accountability is essential for growth, both spiritually and in our relationships.

So What Now?

At this point, it might feel heavy—like we’ve been called out and there’s no hope. But here's the good news: there is hope.

While Adam failed, God had a plan from the very beginning. That plan is Jesus. The Bible tells the story of how humanity, time and time again, tried to live apart from God, and it didn’t work. But through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we have a way back to God.

Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded. Jesus took on the punishment for our sins and gave us new life in Him. So, when we read passages like Genesis 3, yes, we see where we fall short, but we also see the greater story of God’s grace and redemption.

My brother, you don’t have to live in failure. We have hope and joy in Jesus, who leads us, communicates the truth to us, and takes accountability for us before the Father.

Where do you need to step up—in leadership, communication, or accountability? And how can you find hope and strength in Jesus to live out your calling as a man?

My Brother-In-Law always says after hearing a sermon:

“I feel like the pastor was destroying me with conviction. And just when I felt absolutely useless, and defeated, he reminds me about Jesus and I leave filled with hope”.

And it’s a great reminder. We absolutely need to rely on Jesus in everything we do.

Man I hate it when the Pastor talks about my sins every week 😂😂😂

This week’s legendary man is Dietrich Bonhoeffer!

Who Was He?

• German pastor and theologian born in 1906.

• Known for his opposition to the Nazi regime and his role in the Confessing Church.

• Actively worked to resist Adolf Hitler and the Nazi ideology, eventually joining a plot to assassinate Hitler.

• Was imprisoned and executed in 1945 for his resistance.

His Achievements

• Led the Confessing Church, a movement that resisted the Nazis' attempt to control Christian doctrine and practice.

• Authored influential works like The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together, which continue to inspire Christians worldwide.

• Played a key role in educating and discipling Christians in Nazi Germany, encouraging them to stand firm in faith.

• Became a martyr for his faith and moral convictions, executed by the Nazis just weeks before the end of World War II.

How Jesus Transformed Him

• Bonhoeffer’s Christian faith was the foundation of his resistance to evil. His belief in Christ’s call to discipleship compelled him to take a stand against oppression.

• He saw the Nazi regime as a moral and spiritual threat, and his faith gave him the courage to resist even at great personal cost.

• His deep commitment to Jesus led him to actively protect others, exemplifying the responsibility and accountability that Adam lacked in Genesis 3.

The Power of His Faith

• Bonhoeffer’s life was rooted in prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. He founded an underground seminary to train pastors in resisting the false teachings of the regime.

• His unwavering relationship with God fueled his resolve to stand up for justice, even when it meant risking his own life.

• Bonhoeffer’s life is a powerful example of how Christians can lead with courage, communicate truth, and take accountability in the face of immense challenges.

Father I am sorry for the times I have failed to lead and communicate in family, work or other situations. I pray for your Spirit to convict me in times I have been weak, and for strength to become more accountable for my actions. Lord I lean on You for wisdom, strength and guidance in everything I do. I praise you for Jesus, through whom You have given us hope & redemption. Thank you for forgiving me, and continually renewing me Lord. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.