How to Think Like a Man

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MW Editor’s Note: Mentoring Warriors welcomes guest author Landen Stevens to the tribe. Landen has a deep desire to know God’s Word and how it impacts how we think as men. How you think matters greatly not only in the man you are becoming but in how you will lead others. MW met up with Landen for a Q & A on how to think. Welcome Landen!

What does it mean to have an epistemology?

In simple terms, it is essentially where you draw knowledge from.

Why is it important to have an epistemology?

It is important to have an epistemology to understand your own beliefs. One of the worst things a man can do is speak about something that he lacks knowledge on. That is the definition of ignorance. The Bible refers to this type of man as a fool. As men, it is important to know how to lead. You cannot lead a wife or children when you do not understand why you believe what you believe. It is important to have the ability to teach future generations how to have the ability to think critically. Men should have the desire to gain wisdom and discernment. God welcomes us to ask questions. When we draw close to God, He gives us discernment. This discernment is important when developing a good moral epistemology.

Where does a good epistemology lead to?

Having an epistemology leads to having a stoic nature. Stoicism is where we are focused on what is within our control. This would be our thoughts and actions while trying to develop emotional resilience, calmness, and indifference to outside uncontrollable events. Stoicism is a trait that is learned through example and knowledge. The Lord instructs us to have self-control which leads a man to having control over his emotions.This is instructed in 2 Peter 1:5-8.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Where does knowledge come from?

Understanding knowledge is a result of our free-will given by God. People ask why the Lord put the tree of knowledge of good and evil at the arms length of Adam and Eve. The Lord did not hide nor take the ability for us to have awareness of good and evil. In fact, He gave us instruction that with our free will, we disobeyed. Knowledge is the way we can understand where goodness comes from and how to have objective morality.

Where does morality come from?

Good morals only come from God. As Christians, we have objective morality because of God. Objectivity is when something exists absent the mind. Where subjectivity only exists within the mind. When morality is seen as subjective, then morals are left to preference. When we appeal to morals that are objective because of God, then we have a sense of benevolence compared to preference that exhibits a sense of malevolence. This is important when exhibiting what Christ asks of us in regard to submitting ourselves to Him. This is an example of us appealing to something outside of ourselves and not giving into self-worship which is where subjectivity leads to.

Why is this important when forming an epistemology?

Knowing Jesus and what He asks of us is questioned and challenged. It is good for a man to be able to answer questions and be intellectually armed when challenged. This leads us to the righteousness that the Lord gives us the ability to exhibit when it comes to judgement and decisions. This is how we can lead our wives and future generations towards good instead of evil.

Give us a few practical tips on how to apply epistemology as we mature in our manhood

1. Read Books – This is a skill that has to be trained and desired to gain wisdom. Read books that focus on stoicism and philosophy. King Solomon is an amazing example.

2. Understand Logical Reasoning – Not everyone is born with logical reasoning and it is important when having a logically sound belief. This includes understanding logical fallacies.

3. Be Curious and Ask Questions – Chase curiosities that you have. If someone has an opposing view towards your beliefs, then start to ask questions that check the logical reasoning. This is a good way to deconstruct someone’s illogical beliefs and allow a rebuild towards the Truth. In addition, this gives the opportunity to challenge parts of your own beliefs that you might not have thought of.

4. Talk to Older People than You – You can’t have 50 years of experience at the age of 25. However, if you sit down and talk to people that are older and potentially wiser than you, then you can start to gain instruction and understanding. This is where discernment is valuable towards understanding what information you retain and forget. This puts you ahead of your current generation.

Warrior On!