Surely, you’ve heard about the shooting this week in Texas. Utterly tragic. Words cannot adequately communicate the heartbreak of this situation. Why do these types of incidents happen? I want to provide this answer: young men in America are in a crisis. Many factors contribute the downward spiral of young men.
For all the blessings of the internet, it has also brought many great challenges. Unfortunately, the internet is increasingly taking the place of in-person, face-to-face relationships. This is not healthy. On the internet, young men lack accountability and can be whoever they project themselves as. Lonely men find a home among other lonely men on the internet. Also on the internet, young men find pornography – which is acid to a man’s soul. Loneliness and uncontrolled lust go a long way in leading young men into despair and chaos. Add onto this the widespread beliefs that there is no God, there is no absolute right and wrong, and the notion of “toxic masculinity.” No wonder young men are driven to despair.
Young men need help. As a church, we must encourage young men to be men of God, men who shoulder and steward responsibility as a God-given grace. Dads, you must lead here. You must show your boys what it means to honor God as a man. If you are a young man, pursue discipline, risk, self-denial, responsibility, sexual restraint, and the local church. Don’t apologize for being a man. Pursue masculinity. Cling to Christ, the ultimate man. God made you strong and tough. Use your strength to sacrifice for others – all for the glory of eternal triune God.
Pastor Chance
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