Watch all the YouTube videos about “how to hit a baseball.” Think you can step to the plate and rip one? Won’t happen. Why? Because you haven’t hit a baseball yet. Knowing how to do something and doing it are two different things. Do you know who the greatest hitter of all time is? Don’t google it. It’s Ty Cobb. His batting average? .366. In 24 years and 3,035 games, he had 11,434 at-bats and 4,189 hits. Cobb watched zero YouTube tutorials. Google didn’t exist in his day, but focus, point is, he had a lot of at-bats. Now, you say, “I’ve already learned how to be a good dad. I’m at church all the time.” But can you notice improvement over the years? Maybe I’m not talking to you, but for the rest of us, James wrote about hearing and not doing. James warned you must watch out for deceiving yourself. You can think you’re religious because you know religious stuff, but if you can’t watch your mouth, God calls what you have “worthless religion.” He said “hearing but not doing” was like a guy looking in a mirror, walking away, and forgetting what he looked like.

THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF A MAN: Culture has no lack of opinions when it comes to what defines manhood. But the loudest voices usually point us in the wrong direction. That’s why we need to embrace a definition of man that has stood the test of time. We need to understand the biblical definition of manhood.

THE CHALLENGE OF HOLDING ON LOOSELY: From the day our kids are born, men are programmed to protect. It’s our default position to hang on for all we’re worth and to shield our kids from the hurts this life dishes out. It feels natural, but it might not be the best plan for us or our kids. In this episode, Pastor Craig Bowler stops by to share what he’s learned from his own lifelong struggle to release his daughters into the care of their heavenly Father, as well as offering his insights on marriage and manhood.

“In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.” —Yogi Berra

“It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one-the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” ―C.S. Lewis

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” —Leonardo da Vinci

“Practice puts brains in your muscles.” —Sam Snead

Mind your mouth. Have you grown comfortable learning tips about how to be a better man? Resist thinking you have faith just because you continually learn. MLB players practice hitting daily—not just watching others. How can you move beyond knowing and into doing? Put what you know into practice. Start by watching your mouth. Say nothing negative or contrary to the faith you say you have. As a husband, dad, and guy at work, simply do no damage with your tongue this week. Then come back next week for more tips you can practice.

Kent Evans
Author of Bring Your Hammer, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.