I noticed two things: some people are denying that there is a fake, false form of masculinity that does not reflect the masculinity that Jesus Christ demonstrated. Secondly, other people are demonizing masculinity overall.

The most common scenario I have noticed is people seeming to pretend that there is no such thing as toxic masculinity. Perhaps they are bothered by the terminology?

Would they like to call it something else?Wrong masculinity? Bad masculinity? Faux masculinity? The point is, our society has encouraged bad or toxic masculinity.

The wrong ideology is that to be ideally masculine, men are to be promiscuous, unnecessarily violent, aggressive, without enough self-control, objectifying women. Also, to idolize money and power.

These traits have been viewed by many as ideal or the norm for men to be or aspire to be.This, rather than being men who are encouraged to possess the fruit of the Spirit.

True masculinity is marked by fruit of the Spirit. What is fruit of the Spirit?

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. A lot of men are not encouraged to have meekness or many of the other fruits of the Spirit.

Why is masculinity good?

• True masculinity is giving, it is protective, is sacrificial, practices self-control.

• True masculinity is marked by servitude, selflessness, sacrifice, strength.

• True masculinity is courageous, is strength bridled to be gentle, but ready to fight, defend and protect as necessary also.

These are the examples and traits that  Jesus showed through demonstration and instruction. Real, godly masculinity is good and necessary!

Some tend to think meekness and being “good” are feminine traits. Both men and women of God should be meek and do good works. One example of a meek man in the Bible is Moses.

“Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” Numbers 12: 3 NKJV.

Humility is a wonderful thing. In fact, it is necessary to have, in order for people to have integrity. We must be humble enough to understand that God has commandments and guidelines for us to follow and choose to follow them.

Goodness doesn’t have a gender, but all should do good.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NKJV.

In the same way, although I have never heard the terminology, there is such a thing as toxic femininity. Not that femininity in and of itself is wrong or toxic. Just like masculinity in and of itself isn’t wrong or toxic.

For example, women being encouraged to be promiscuous, to harm or kill the helpless, innocent unborn as a personal “right,” or encouraged to demonize masculinity could be considered toxic femininity.

True, godly femininity is kind, nurturing, caring, gentle, peaceful and marked by wisdom.

Godly masculinity and godly femininity are wonderful, ordained by God and marked by fruit of the Spirit. Our society has instigated and encouraged the toxic forms of masculinity and femininity and it has gotten out of control.

It’s important to get back to the blueprint. The word of God tells us how we should conduct ourselves as men and women, boys and girls. Otherwise, we are behaving toxically.

Related Bible Verses

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5: 19- 21 NKJV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentlenes, self-control.  Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5: 22 NKJV

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5: 5 NKJV.