Images of manhood leave much to be desired. Today's society equates manhood with sexual prowess, aggression and chauvinism and does little to uphold the standard that God set in His Word.

Most men have become what I call "fabricated." In other words, their identities are formed by the dictates and attitudes of society. Consequently, a generation of men now exists that doesn't know what constitutes true manhood and that acts out the worldly images it sees around it.

As a result, many families are being destroyed, and many more relationships are suffering. The only way for men to begin walking in their God-ordained positions as heads of their households is for the Word of God to become their final authority regarding manhood.

I remember growing up and hearing my dad tell me that sex before marriage was OK as long as I used a condom. Naturally, I didn't think there was anything wrong with "getting some" before I got married, and I sought out as many willing female participants as I could.

Manhood, for me, was largely defined by my sexual conquests. Many men have adopted this attitude. To them, women have become objects that are exploited and used for pleasure.

Even music videos, television programs and movies promote this notion. This is a false image that Satan uses to deceive men and to keep them from becoming the people God created them to be.

Similarly, some men believe that manhood means taking their anger out on others. They are aggressive toward others—especially women and children—so that they can get their way and abuse their "authority."

Men of God have no business conducting themselves in this manner. Being a man doesn't give you the right to be abusive.

On the contrary, being a man carries with it a heavy responsibility and a high standard of integrity that God expects you to uphold.

Jesus: Man Of God, Man Of Love
It will take a conscious decision to renew your mind to become what God has called you to be. Instead of looking to movies, music, or your family "traditions," begin to look at Jesus, Who is the ultimate example of manhood. He was love in action—all God and all man at the same time.

The reason Jesus walked in victory as a man of God and completely dominated every situation while He was on earth was because He was a man of love. I'm not talking about some sappy, emotional love that allows others to walk over and take advantage of you.

No, I'm talking about the love that becomes so powerful inside of you that it allows the power of God to flow through you and affect everything and everyone with whom you come in contact.

Jesus was able to balance walking in love with refusing to compromise Who He was. He knew how to take charge of situations and rebuke people when necessary. However, His rebukes were made in love. Even His anger was righteous and fueled by His love for people.

Love was the motivating force behind His actions. He maintained His love stance in the midst of fierce opposition, persecution and even death. He was a "love warrior" to the end. This is how God expects men to live.

Becoming a man of love rather than existing as a mere "fabricated" man will take a quality decision to rid yourself of the selfishness that masks your spirit. Most people try to be something they are not because they are afraid that others will see who they really are.

Fear of rejection and uncertainty of how others will receive them if they became transparent keep the walls up and the masks on. God, however, wants you to be free.

Romans 5:5 says that the love of God has been poured forth in your heart by the Holy Spirit. In other words, you possess the same ability to love God and others that Jesus possesses.

This very love nature is God Himself, and it came to live in you when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Your task is to conform yourself to the image of Christ by renewing your mind with the Word of God and allowing His character to be developed in you.

Kill The Flesh!
To become a man of love, you'll have to overcome your flesh. God wants to empower you, your household, your family, your business and everything else that concerns you; however, you must begin walking in the Spirit rather than in the flesh to obtain the blessings He has for you.

In other words, you're going to have to change the way you think by allowing the Word of God to be your guideline of what does and does not constitute manhood.

Romans 8 says:
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.... So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."
(vv. 5-8)
When you operate as a fabricated man, you are in the flesh. If fear or the ungodly desires of the flesh are in operation in your life, the only antidote is to begin walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).

In other words, start seeing things from heaven's viewpoint. See yourself as God sees you. You are a son of God, with a recreated spirit—someone who is destined to operate as Jesus did in the earth. You are a king and a priest. Praise God!

You can begin to tear down the walls of fear, insecurity and inferiority by first recognizing that God loves you and approves of you (1 John 4:16-18). You don't have to try and conform to the world's standards of manhood to prove something to somebody who is probably just as confused as the rest of society!

The only person you should seek to please is God. You do this by walking by faith, obeying His commandments and conforming to the image of Jesus by developing your character according to the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

I challenge you to begin renewing your mind to God's definition of manhood (Rom. 12:1-2). When you do, you will realize that walking like a man does not mean being a tyrant; instead, it means walking like Jesus did—in love!

First published in the June 2004 issue of Changing Your World Magazine, © by Creflo Dollar Ministries. Reprinted by permission.