One thing I can say with certainty is that the teachings found in the Bible are counter culture. If you dig deep into God’s Word, you realize that the instructions written in God’s Book go against the teachings perpetuated by today’s cultural norms. This is not a new occurrence; a study of Jesus’ life and ministry reveals that He lived counter culture. In other words, Jesus was not focused on living according to the cultural norms of His day.

As we think about the men in our lives and how we relate to them, an opportunity exists for us to turn to God’s Word in order to receive instructions. However, we must be prepared to find answers that go against the cultural norms of our day. Additionally, we must be willing to surrender to God’s Word no matter what.

So, what does God’s Word say about how we should relate to men in our lives? The answer to this question can be found in two bold statements. The first statement — there are men in your life that you need to run from! The second statement — there are men in your life that you need to stay with! Each statement is supported by instructions found in the Bible.

First, there are men in your life that you need to run from! This teaching is displayed in the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. Genesis 39 records the event. Joseph was a servant in Potiphar’s house. The Bible states that Joseph was physically fit and handsome. Potiphar’s wife had a serious attraction to Joseph and wanted to have a relationship with him. The only problem? Joseph was not willing to have an inappropriate relationship with a married woman. Therefore, Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife.

The heart of Potiphar’s wife was demonstrated through her actions; she was not willing to run when necessary. Out of respect for her husband, the moment Potiphar’s wife sensed a wrong attraction to Joseph she should have cut off her interaction with him. Instead, Potiphar’s wife used every opportunity to pursue Joseph. She was persistent in her interactions with Joseph and always found a way to be around him. Often, this is one indicator that can be used to identify potentially dangerous relationships in your life.

Second, there are men in your life that you need to stay with! Proverbs 31 provides a portrait of a woman who, over the course of her life, made the choice to stay. Verses 28-29 state, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things but you surpass them all.” (New International Version)

Now, to be honest, I always grow a little self-conscious when I read Proverbs 31. This woman had it all together! However, as we think about the right way to relate to the men in our lives, we can learn so much from this lady’s life. She invested her heart and her life with the right men — her husband and children. As a result, her husband and children invested in her life. Scripture states that they blessed her and praised her. What a great reward for staying!

Today, I want to ask you, “Are there men in your life that you need to run from?” If so, then you can count on the fact that there are men in your life that you need to stay with! More often than not, the two statements go hand and hand. When you forsake the right relationships in your life, you often turn to wrong relationships in order to fill the void. So, here is the challenge: Focus on the right relationships in your life. Perhaps this is your relationship with your husband, son, father or close friend. Next, identify the wrong relationships in your life and make the choice to run! Run hard! Run fast! Run with the resolve not to return!

Without a doubt, the willingness to run from the wrong men and stay with the right men goes against the cultural norms of our day which states, “Anything goes!” However, surrendering to the instructions to run from some men and stay with others provides an avenue for you to have the right kind of relationships with men in your life.
No doubt, this approach to men will be counter culture but certainly Christ honoring. So, my friend, what do you need to do?