Blessings in the Mighty Name of Yeshua Hamashiach!
# 1 [SELF-DENIAL]
A real man reflects godliness, not culture (Gen 1:27).
Our lives should be a reflection of God’s character, purpose, and will. As men, it’s our prerogative to represent God in a world that doesn’t know Him. Living under the influence of culture means being obsessed with grilling meat, drinking beer, watching football, and obsessing over sex.
It’s impossible to lead anyone if we are addicted to our phones, entertainment, and food.
Self-Denial is the foundation of all successful relationships. 2 examples:
Our relationship with Jesus: Matthew 16:24 AMPC
Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].
Relationship with spouse:
Paul explains that instead of a selfish union, marriage at its core is designed to be a selfless union (Ephesians 5:22–27). Death to self, not personal gratification, is the center of marriage’s gravitational pull.
Shalom
Pastor Williams