Masculinity is bravery harnessed by wisdom, action tethered by self-restraint, self-assertion marked by self-control, and honor clothed in humility.
It is willing to risk all, yet tempered by discernment. Its strength is characterized by both self-denial and self-respect. It is possessed by a man who has been taught to forgive his enemies, yet also to be angry and sin not.
The essence of Biblical Masculinity is summed up in one command:
“Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with thy God.” — Micah 6:8
The world is full of voices talking about what masculinity is not. From a young age, boys hear all about the dangers of “toxic masculinity” and all the things men ought not to do. But who is telling them what masculinity actually is? What if, instead of focusing on unhealthy manhood and all its dangers, we cast a positive vision for what a man ought to be?
Below you’ll find a set of Masculinity Markers: universal characteristics of masculinity—and not the cheap imitation stuff. We’re talking about the real thing. These are the markers of men living in accord with their God-given masculine nature.
M-A-S-C-U-L-I-N-I-T-Y: What Does Masculinity Look Like?
M — Mission:
Masculinity is not the absence of weakness but the presence of purpose. Every act of courage, every word of truth, every moment of leadership flows from one goal—to glorify God. A man’s identity is secure. He knows who he is and whose he is. From that foundation, his mission advances.
A — Authenticity
A godly man refuses isolation. Bravery harnessed by wisdom requires brotherhood and truth. He engages authentically with other men, invites correction, and seeks accountability before God and others. Even in weakness and failure he personifies honor clothed in humility.
S — Strength in Service
Strength is not seized but stewarded. Power finds its purpose not in dominance, but in partnership with God—to defend the weak, build what is good, and bless others. His work becomes worship. His strength is proven through humble service.
C — Courage Rooted in Conviction
He stands firm when culture shifts and fear whispers. He confronts the wrong and upholds what is right. His courage shields the vulnerable and brings light into the darkness. Bravery flows from conviction, not ego. In the face of fear, he acts with boldness rooted in Truth.
U — Unshakable Faith
His life is anchored in God’s Word, not shifting emotion. When feelings falter, he rises again, standing firm when others fall. He trusts God’s promises. His hope rests in the finished work of Christ. His steady faith becomes a shelter for those he leads.
L — Love that Leads
Love is the mark of masculine strength—protective, sacrificial, and steadfast. It leads not by dominance but by devotion. He loves first and sacrifices most, modeling the heart of Christ who gave Himself for others.
I — Intimacy through Prayer
A man fights his greatest battles on his knees. His strength flows from surrender. He leads from prayer—in his own life, at work, at home, and among those entrusted to him. He expects God to move and leans in as he sees Him working. His leadership grows from confidence born from time spent with God.
N — Nurturing Shepherd
Tenderness and tenacity dwell together. He is both warrior and shepherd—fighting not merely for today, but building for tomorrow. He cultivates faith, courage, and calling in those entrusted to his influence. He defends what is right while restoring what is broken—strong enough to protect, gentle enough to care. Through his surrendered life, others rise. His legacy is not in possessions, but in people—those God has entrusted to his care, by bond or by blood—walking worthy of the Lord.
I — Integrity of Heart
His life is whole—what he believes, he becomes. Integrity is not perfection, but alignment: heart, mind, and action moving in step with truth. He is the same man in secret as he is in public. His word holds weight because his life holds witness. When compromise calls, he chooses the harder right over the easier wrong. His integrity is not built on pride but on purity—an undivided heart devoted to God alone.
T — Tenacity through Trial
He endures with quiet resolve. When others retreat, he remains. With each failure he rises with new resolve. His perseverance is not driven by pride but by trust in the God who works through suffering—knowing that perseverance produces godly character.
Y — Yielded to the Spirit
The highest expression of manhood is submission to the Spirit who transforms raw strength into holy purpose. Yielded to the Spirit, he finds power without pride and discipline without despair. A man ruled by God becomes a blessing to the world.
The Mark of Our Maker
A Y chromosome may define a male, but it cannot define masculinity. Masculinity is a virtue, and virtue cannot be toxic—only distorted. Courage without wisdom becomes recklessness. Integrity without love becomes legalism. Leadership without humility becomes domination. Service without discernment becomes enablement.
But when our hearts are tuned to the Divine Conductor, the scattered notes of our character begin to resolve. We learn again to live in harmony with His design, and our lives echo the melody for which we were created.
Masculinity is one expression of that divine image—a reflection of God’s own nature.
“So God created man in His own image… male and female He created them.” — Genesis 1:27
The fullest picture of masculinity is found in Jesus Christ, the perfect image of manhood. God did not come to shame men but to show them the way. We do not need a new standard—we need a Savior to follow.
Jesus did not simply raise the bar.
He showed up.
He held up the mirror.
He told the Truth.
He lived before us.
He died for us, paying the cost for our sin because we could not measure up. Then He sent His Spirit to empower us to walk in Truth.
That is the example. And that’s why these Masculinity Markers matter: they paint a picture of a man following Jesus and reflecting Him in how he thinks, speaks, and acts.
So instead of focusing on what masculinity is not, we need to talk about these markers, what masculinity is—with our sons and with our brothers. Boys are looking to men to show them the “why” behind their Y chromosome, and men need brothers to build them up and spur them on.
Men, in this life, we will never perfectly measure up to every marker. But God is gracious. By His strength and through the guiding work of the Holy Spirit, a man’s walk with the Lord will begin—day by day—to reflect these markers.
Find a Troop near you or Learn how to bring Trail Life to your community at TrailLifeUSA.com