By Nathan A. Cherry

Properly Defining Masculinity and Femininity: So much of what makes a person masculine or feminine centers on the physical, whether specific acts or particular duties. To a certain extent this is good. To truly understand the biblical heart of masculinity and femininity, however, is to understand the attitudes, the character and the mind of these two dispositions. It’s going deeper into the root cause behind the actions.

There must first be a maturity present that moves men and women from their sinful view to a biblically correct view; from selfishness to love. It would be no great surprise to say that the central issue causing difficulty and hardship in a marriage is that of selfishness. Our list of priorities must not find self as number one or two, or anywhere near the top or we will begin with a flawed viewpoint.

For men to achieve mature masculinity there must be a sense of benevolent responsibility within. This sense is deep and penetrating, a sense that it is his God-given responsibility to provide, protect, and lead the women in his life. A sense that he must pick up the mantle of biblical leadership and be the godly man his family needs. Truly a great provider and protector that, with great love will seek to meet the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of his family. He will also understand that this responsibility extends itself not just to the women closest to him, but to all women in general. His outlook on women, his deep sense to protect women, his interaction with women will all be affected by the biblical masculinity developing within. In his own marriage he will recognize his divine duty to work to provide for his family while affording his wife the opportunity to stay home with their children. He will recognize that he is to partner with his wife in successfully raising godly children and achieving the family goals. He will lead his family with love by first setting the example before them.

For woman to achieve mature femininity she must recognize that it is more than mere actions. It is a disposition which learns how to appropriately act within each event, activity, or set of circumstances. Though social etiquette is needed on the part of both sexes, femininity is an outward expression of the heart and soul of a woman sincerely desiring God’s approval. Biblical femininity adheres to a standard established by God regardless of cultural acceptance of popular opinion. In marriage, biblical femininity willingly places itself under the leadership of its husband as God ordained in creation. A wife seeks to fulfill her God-ordained role by becoming the partner, helper, and completer of the man. A wife will also seek to successfully fulfill her greatest calling as a woman in raising godly children that will carry on the message of Christ and the family legacy.

Biblically mature masculinity and femininity seek to please the Creator and understands that fulfilling its God-ordained role is an act of worship, love, and obedience. It puts aside selfish personal perspectives in favor of the biblical viewpoint established by God.

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