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Stand Firm and Act Like Men: Becoming the Man You Were Created to Be Instead of Who the World Says You Are
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
From a bestselling author and pastor, a straight-talk, no-nonsense guide to becoming the man God calls you to be.
We’ve all seen the headlines. Masculinity is in crisis. Men are lost. What’s the matter with men? We are confused about what masculinity is and what roles men play in our culture.
Manhood, says Joby Martin, is harder than ever because we have forgotten what true masculinity looks like. Real, Biblical manhood is not about driving big trucks, having the biggest guns, or hunting the biggest buck. (Though he’s a big fan of all of those, truth be told.) True men of God surrender themselves before the cross, serve and lead their families, put on the full armor of God, and stand guard against the lies that threaten to tear our churches and our culture apart.
In this book, Pastor Joby walks through what the Bible means when it says, ‘be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong, and let all that you do be done in love’ (1 Corinthians 16:13). He guides readers through what scripture says about who men are, how they should act, and what it means to be a man in today’s culture, and he asks tough questions about how God calls men to respond.
Stand Firm and Act Like Men is a call for men to rediscover Biblical manhood in their churches and cities, and to love, serve, and support their families and one another.
From a bestselling author and pastor, a straight-talk, no-nonsense guide to becoming the man God calls you to be.
We’ve all seen the headlines. Masculinity is in crisis. Men are lost. What’s the matter with men? We are confused about what masculinity is and what roles men play in our culture.
Manhood, says Joby Martin, is harder than ever because we have forgotten what true masculinity looks like. Real, Biblical manhood is not about driving big trucks, having the biggest guns, or hunting the biggest buck. (Though he’s a big fan of all of those, truth be told.) True men of God surrender themselves before the cross, serve and lead their families, put on the full armor of God, and stand guard against the lies that threaten to tear our churches and our culture apart.
In this book, Pastor Joby walks through what the Bible means when it says, ‘be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong, and let all that you do be done in love’ (1 Corinthians 16:13). He guides readers through what scripture says about who men are, how they should act, and what it means to be a man in today’s culture, and he asks tough questions about how God calls men to respond.
Stand Firm and Act Like Men is a call for men to rediscover Biblical manhood in their churches and cities, and to love, serve, and support their families and one another.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
487 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 9, 2025
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy*
I came in with an open mind and no expectations, but I must say, I was pretty disappointed.
The biggest issue I have with this book is its views that are mostly in bible literalism/inerrancy, whereas I and statistically most people who read the bible understand it to be God-inspired yet is influenced by the cultural, historical, and linguistic context that can have more than one interpretation. I say ‘mostly’ because the author makes clear that he’s aware that the bible is full of metaphors and that he has personal interpretations and conclusions from the text.
Unless the reader agrees that there is only one way of understanding and studying the bible, the book itself will offer little. There’s portions regarding women that come across as patronizing. Instead of focusing on how men should uplift and respect women as *people*, it focuses on reinforcing archetypes that women are ‘made’ to be; An honorable subordinate, or temptress.
When the advice to men is that they shouldn’t even be alone in a room with a woman they’re not married to, the undertone is 1. Any interaction with a woman will conclude in something sexual 2. Men are inevitable perverts unless Jesus stands in the way. As a married man, I find it not only insulting, but also impractical advice to men who are having real issues seeing women as toys instead of human beings.
A lot of Christian men have issues with infidelity, abuse, and hyper-sexualization, and it’s not because they’re praying wrong- It’s because they’re failing to humanize the women in their lives in a setting that often tells them that women, in a way, belong to them.
This is emboldened to me by the fact Matt Chandler was mentioned positively despite the ongoing allegations of employees being fired for whistleblowing on abuse. Men should be held accountable for their baggage and actually be shown the resources to unpack that instead of assuming a verse from Paul’s letter to be all the strength they need.
Mirroring this, there’s little offered to men who don’t fit into the mould of ‘married to a woman, has kids with her’. There’s a blurb in the opening addressing men who may be single/without kids/not hyper-masculine, but outside of a few exercises or bits of advice, the rest is ‘bootstraps’ pep-talk. This book is for a very specific kind of man, and even then I’d hesitate to point them to this book as opposed to other religious books for men.
There is some nuggets of truth and practical pep-talk in the book, but it’s sandwiched between scripture analysis that moves at a glacial pace and comparing trans people existing to the Rwandan genocide (yes, really).
Giving advice that might sound corny is one thing, but needing to put down others with a sense of smugness and contempt is another. I’m sure there are books for Christian men that can empower and guide, but this one isn’t it.
I came in with an open mind and no expectations, but I must say, I was pretty disappointed.
The biggest issue I have with this book is its views that are mostly in bible literalism/inerrancy, whereas I and statistically most people who read the bible understand it to be God-inspired yet is influenced by the cultural, historical, and linguistic context that can have more than one interpretation. I say ‘mostly’ because the author makes clear that he’s aware that the bible is full of metaphors and that he has personal interpretations and conclusions from the text.
Unless the reader agrees that there is only one way of understanding and studying the bible, the book itself will offer little. There’s portions regarding women that come across as patronizing. Instead of focusing on how men should uplift and respect women as *people*, it focuses on reinforcing archetypes that women are ‘made’ to be; An honorable subordinate, or temptress.
When the advice to men is that they shouldn’t even be alone in a room with a woman they’re not married to, the undertone is 1. Any interaction with a woman will conclude in something sexual 2. Men are inevitable perverts unless Jesus stands in the way. As a married man, I find it not only insulting, but also impractical advice to men who are having real issues seeing women as toys instead of human beings.
A lot of Christian men have issues with infidelity, abuse, and hyper-sexualization, and it’s not because they’re praying wrong- It’s because they’re failing to humanize the women in their lives in a setting that often tells them that women, in a way, belong to them.
This is emboldened to me by the fact Matt Chandler was mentioned positively despite the ongoing allegations of employees being fired for whistleblowing on abuse. Men should be held accountable for their baggage and actually be shown the resources to unpack that instead of assuming a verse from Paul’s letter to be all the strength they need.
Mirroring this, there’s little offered to men who don’t fit into the mould of ‘married to a woman, has kids with her’. There’s a blurb in the opening addressing men who may be single/without kids/not hyper-masculine, but outside of a few exercises or bits of advice, the rest is ‘bootstraps’ pep-talk. This book is for a very specific kind of man, and even then I’d hesitate to point them to this book as opposed to other religious books for men.
There is some nuggets of truth and practical pep-talk in the book, but it’s sandwiched between scripture analysis that moves at a glacial pace and comparing trans people existing to the Rwandan genocide (yes, really).
Giving advice that might sound corny is one thing, but needing to put down others with a sense of smugness and contempt is another. I’m sure there are books for Christian men that can empower and guide, but this one isn’t it.
December 13, 2025
This book is… terrible. I forced myself to finish it but it’s such a toxic approach to being a Christian man.
According to this Greg Locke wannabe pastor, if you aren’t physically strong, acting like a real American man, and “humble” in a braggadocios way, you aren’t a real man. He’s the type of pastor that calls men wimps and demeans women, acting like it’s his style of humor.
And his view of scripture and the way he shares it, is just dead wrong. He twists scripture every chapter and his view of the trinity is laughable.
Do not read this book.
According to this Greg Locke wannabe pastor, if you aren’t physically strong, acting like a real American man, and “humble” in a braggadocios way, you aren’t a real man. He’s the type of pastor that calls men wimps and demeans women, acting like it’s his style of humor.
And his view of scripture and the way he shares it, is just dead wrong. He twists scripture every chapter and his view of the trinity is laughable.
Do not read this book.
October 14, 2025
This is not just a book for men. It’s also for if you’re married to a man, hoping to raise a boy into a biblical man, or a single woman wanting to know what she needs to look for in a man to biblically read her. This book is much needed in a world where the church can sometimes pander around the truth to their congregation. Laid out in a casual way you’ll feel like you’re just having a conversation with the pastor himself.
The final notes had me tears falling down my face laughing more than any book ever has.
A genuine must read.
The final notes had me tears falling down my face laughing more than any book ever has.
A genuine must read.
March 1, 2026
Given the increased public awareness of transgenderism and homosexuality, I believe the church in America is wrestling with a question that not many have felt the need to ask before: "What does it mean to be a man?" This is not an objective fact: just a personal observation. Another observation is that people tend to land in one of two extremes: either deny the difference between men and women, or double down on the worst answer you could imagine. While Joby at one point claims to take a middle position, I believe he lands firmly in the latter camp, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Mark Driscoll (not a compliment).
Take, for example, the following line from the introduction to the book: "How in the world did we go from the apostle Paul and William Wallace and John Wayne to what we have now?" (6). I won't quote the following line; you'll have to guess which gaggle of non-believers he picks on. The idolization of John Wayne by Christians is an idea explored in Kristen Kobes Du Mez's Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, but my personal realization while reading this book is that John Wayne isn't real. The characters he portrayed (and, by extension, the ideals with which he is most strongly associated) are fabrications from Hollywood. The real John Wayne married three times, divorced twice, separated once, a partook in numerous high-profile affairs during these marriage relationships. That's not at all what Joby wants for his readership, but that's the man he puts up on a pedestal. As for William Wallace, Joby brags about having a replica of his sword in his office, so I have reason to believe that Joby's familiarity with the figure begins and ends with the movie Braveheart (1995). After a quick Google search, I've been convinced that this movie is not very accurate. The sword in the movie isn't even accurate. I bring all this up because I think the sword replica is a striking image that perfectly captures what I believe to be Joby's idea of masculinity: a poor fabrication crafted by Hollywood. This is not a middle position on the male-definition spectrum. This is a terrible answer to the question, “What does it mean to be a man?” And the book is at its absolute worst when it embodies this fabrication: it's inconsistent, sexist, arrogant, and overly simplistic.
Inconsistent: Joby hammers home that the absolute inerrancy of the Bible is a non-negotiable, yet he has no problems with lies. The William Wallace and John Wayne that he knows are not real. Church attendance is not 10:1 female-to-male (no clue where he got this statistic). Divorce rates are not at an all-time high (they've been declining since the 80s). The author of the gospel of St. John is not Jesus' brother (not traditionally, that is). I don't think Joby is intentionally or nefariously trying to mislead his audience. I just think he sloppy and lazy in his writing. I also found his stances inconsistent. On one page he’s insulting people who don’t believe in Satan (blaming them), and on another he’s saying they are ensnared (victimizing them). He repeatedly says you don’t need to do “manly” things to be a man while also repeatedly bragging about some of his “manly” attributes. With all due respect, please make up your mind!
Sexist: Joby treats complementarianism as a non-negotiable, and that means gender roles from history are prescriptions for today (and you also shouldn't bother to ask if Leave It to Beaver is a Hollywood facsimile). Joby's call for men to step up and protect women relies on a repeated portrayal of women as helpless and in need saving (sort of like a damsel in distress). Men are defined by their relationship to God, and women are defined by their relationship to men. The cherry on top is on pg. 43, when Joby writes, "And ladies, track with me here. You were created to help. It's just in your nature to help. And believe me, your man needs lots of help." Fun fact: if you take this quote and replace the word "man" with "White people" and "ladies" with "Black people," you get an incredibly racist statement. It also wouldn't be far off from views that were held in earnest in 19th century America (you know, when slavery was ongoing). But I'm sure this disgusting imbalance of power is nowhere to be seen in the original statement on men and women. Instead, Joby assures the readers that designating the role of helper to women (and limiting women to that role) is not at all denigrating. I wish I had more to say, but I really do believe that, aside from the universal charge to be Christian, Joby's only other charge to men is to be protectors and leaders, which comes at the cost of female subordination.
[Side note: for those wondering about the Bible verses calling for female submission, I would like to remind you of the Bible verse that commands slaves to obey their masters (Eph. 6:5). No one I know takes this verse literally. The usual interpretation of this verse includes a highlighting of the differences between slavery in antiquity and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This is good, I agree with this, but why is this not extended to verses about female submission? Why is there no questioning of how women in antiquity were treated, and what cultural expectations were placed on them? It wasn't until I got to college that I learned that the Israelites were somewhat progressive for not reducing women to property and offering them some protections under Mosaic law. Given this, there might even be a biblical precedent to treat each other with more love and respect that those around us: to be more feminist and more anti-racist that the current culture. Alas! Joby and his ilk leave most verses to literal interpretation.]
Arrogant: Joby admits coming to this realization about himself in the 5th chapter (the book is nearly done at this point), but because he is a sloppy writer, he didn't go back to edit the preceding chapters. He left the two times he brags about having good grades in college, so good that he could go to medical school. He brags about his past as a body builder and his former physique. He brags about having a replica of William Wallace's sword from Braveheart on the wall of his office. At several points he calls people dumb, once for not believing the devil exists (the greatest trick he ever pulled...) and another time for not taking his discipleship advice. He also brags about his "gift" for confrontation, so maybe he doesn't see any of this as a negative.
Overly simplistic: I don't think Joby knows that transgenderism isn't a new concept or phenomenon. I don't think Joby has wrestled with how Klinefelter Syndrome or Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome affect our understanding of manhood. I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all definition for men. We live in time and at certain places, and the communities we find ourselves in have needs that are constantly changing. The world shifts a lot, and we Christians shift with it. With a rooted identity in Christ, I believe we are able to weather the storm and be lights to the lost and the sinking. I suspect, however, that Joby is part of a group of men in the world who choose to root at least a part of their identity elsewhere. When rooting identity in manhood, they devise rigid definitions of masculinity, delineating a clear in-group and a clearer out-group, and reveling in their membership to the in-group. In his own podcast, while commenting on the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, Joby cautioned his listeners about trusting the interviewees who are not (or are no longer) Christians. For the author of a book about man's responsibility to step up, protect, and serve, it strikes me as odd that these protections are not extended to the victims of Mark Driscoll's sin (Joby goes on to praise Mark in the podcast). I leave it to you, reader, to guess who here is in the in-group, and who is left out.
To avoid being overly simplistic myself, I have to step away from my criticism and offer compliments. While uncommon, Joby would say things I agreed with or found powerful. I particularly agreed with his charge to men to swallow their pride and apologize for things they didn't do. As a marriage and family therapist, I think I can safely say that trying to correct your partner's perception of events does not foster emotional intimacy (read: makes things worse). I wrote the word "Moron" in the margins a few times across the book, but never once did that occur during a passage where he was essentially preaching the gospel. In fact, there's quite a few times when Joby strays from the "man" schtick and preaches a more general message. Those were more palatable and encouraging, but they also strayed from the focus of the book, which I would call sloppy if these sections weren't the only salvageable parts of the book. And that's where I want to end. Joby is clearly a competent preacher, and there is certainly good in this book that can be salvaged. There are principles here that can change your life. The problem is that these are not novel concepts. They are said elsewhere, in places you can find them without sloughing through a mire of sexism and arrogance.
Take, for example, the following line from the introduction to the book: "How in the world did we go from the apostle Paul and William Wallace and John Wayne to what we have now?" (6). I won't quote the following line; you'll have to guess which gaggle of non-believers he picks on. The idolization of John Wayne by Christians is an idea explored in Kristen Kobes Du Mez's Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, but my personal realization while reading this book is that John Wayne isn't real. The characters he portrayed (and, by extension, the ideals with which he is most strongly associated) are fabrications from Hollywood. The real John Wayne married three times, divorced twice, separated once, a partook in numerous high-profile affairs during these marriage relationships. That's not at all what Joby wants for his readership, but that's the man he puts up on a pedestal. As for William Wallace, Joby brags about having a replica of his sword in his office, so I have reason to believe that Joby's familiarity with the figure begins and ends with the movie Braveheart (1995). After a quick Google search, I've been convinced that this movie is not very accurate. The sword in the movie isn't even accurate. I bring all this up because I think the sword replica is a striking image that perfectly captures what I believe to be Joby's idea of masculinity: a poor fabrication crafted by Hollywood. This is not a middle position on the male-definition spectrum. This is a terrible answer to the question, “What does it mean to be a man?” And the book is at its absolute worst when it embodies this fabrication: it's inconsistent, sexist, arrogant, and overly simplistic.
Inconsistent: Joby hammers home that the absolute inerrancy of the Bible is a non-negotiable, yet he has no problems with lies. The William Wallace and John Wayne that he knows are not real. Church attendance is not 10:1 female-to-male (no clue where he got this statistic). Divorce rates are not at an all-time high (they've been declining since the 80s). The author of the gospel of St. John is not Jesus' brother (not traditionally, that is). I don't think Joby is intentionally or nefariously trying to mislead his audience. I just think he sloppy and lazy in his writing. I also found his stances inconsistent. On one page he’s insulting people who don’t believe in Satan (blaming them), and on another he’s saying they are ensnared (victimizing them). He repeatedly says you don’t need to do “manly” things to be a man while also repeatedly bragging about some of his “manly” attributes. With all due respect, please make up your mind!
Sexist: Joby treats complementarianism as a non-negotiable, and that means gender roles from history are prescriptions for today (and you also shouldn't bother to ask if Leave It to Beaver is a Hollywood facsimile). Joby's call for men to step up and protect women relies on a repeated portrayal of women as helpless and in need saving (sort of like a damsel in distress). Men are defined by their relationship to God, and women are defined by their relationship to men. The cherry on top is on pg. 43, when Joby writes, "And ladies, track with me here. You were created to help. It's just in your nature to help. And believe me, your man needs lots of help." Fun fact: if you take this quote and replace the word "man" with "White people" and "ladies" with "Black people," you get an incredibly racist statement. It also wouldn't be far off from views that were held in earnest in 19th century America (you know, when slavery was ongoing). But I'm sure this disgusting imbalance of power is nowhere to be seen in the original statement on men and women. Instead, Joby assures the readers that designating the role of helper to women (and limiting women to that role) is not at all denigrating. I wish I had more to say, but I really do believe that, aside from the universal charge to be Christian, Joby's only other charge to men is to be protectors and leaders, which comes at the cost of female subordination.
[Side note: for those wondering about the Bible verses calling for female submission, I would like to remind you of the Bible verse that commands slaves to obey their masters (Eph. 6:5). No one I know takes this verse literally. The usual interpretation of this verse includes a highlighting of the differences between slavery in antiquity and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This is good, I agree with this, but why is this not extended to verses about female submission? Why is there no questioning of how women in antiquity were treated, and what cultural expectations were placed on them? It wasn't until I got to college that I learned that the Israelites were somewhat progressive for not reducing women to property and offering them some protections under Mosaic law. Given this, there might even be a biblical precedent to treat each other with more love and respect that those around us: to be more feminist and more anti-racist that the current culture. Alas! Joby and his ilk leave most verses to literal interpretation.]
Arrogant: Joby admits coming to this realization about himself in the 5th chapter (the book is nearly done at this point), but because he is a sloppy writer, he didn't go back to edit the preceding chapters. He left the two times he brags about having good grades in college, so good that he could go to medical school. He brags about his past as a body builder and his former physique. He brags about having a replica of William Wallace's sword from Braveheart on the wall of his office. At several points he calls people dumb, once for not believing the devil exists (the greatest trick he ever pulled...) and another time for not taking his discipleship advice. He also brags about his "gift" for confrontation, so maybe he doesn't see any of this as a negative.
Overly simplistic: I don't think Joby knows that transgenderism isn't a new concept or phenomenon. I don't think Joby has wrestled with how Klinefelter Syndrome or Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome affect our understanding of manhood. I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all definition for men. We live in time and at certain places, and the communities we find ourselves in have needs that are constantly changing. The world shifts a lot, and we Christians shift with it. With a rooted identity in Christ, I believe we are able to weather the storm and be lights to the lost and the sinking. I suspect, however, that Joby is part of a group of men in the world who choose to root at least a part of their identity elsewhere. When rooting identity in manhood, they devise rigid definitions of masculinity, delineating a clear in-group and a clearer out-group, and reveling in their membership to the in-group. In his own podcast, while commenting on the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, Joby cautioned his listeners about trusting the interviewees who are not (or are no longer) Christians. For the author of a book about man's responsibility to step up, protect, and serve, it strikes me as odd that these protections are not extended to the victims of Mark Driscoll's sin (Joby goes on to praise Mark in the podcast). I leave it to you, reader, to guess who here is in the in-group, and who is left out.
To avoid being overly simplistic myself, I have to step away from my criticism and offer compliments. While uncommon, Joby would say things I agreed with or found powerful. I particularly agreed with his charge to men to swallow their pride and apologize for things they didn't do. As a marriage and family therapist, I think I can safely say that trying to correct your partner's perception of events does not foster emotional intimacy (read: makes things worse). I wrote the word "Moron" in the margins a few times across the book, but never once did that occur during a passage where he was essentially preaching the gospel. In fact, there's quite a few times when Joby strays from the "man" schtick and preaches a more general message. Those were more palatable and encouraging, but they also strayed from the focus of the book, which I would call sloppy if these sections weren't the only salvageable parts of the book. And that's where I want to end. Joby is clearly a competent preacher, and there is certainly good in this book that can be salvaged. There are principles here that can change your life. The problem is that these are not novel concepts. They are said elsewhere, in places you can find them without sloughing through a mire of sexism and arrogance.
September 18, 2025
Book Review:
Stand Firm and Act Like a Man by Joby Martin
Just finished reading Joby Martin’s powerful book, and I’ve got to say, it’s a must-read for any man serious about living out biblical masculinity in a world that desperately needs it.
Martin doesn’t pull punches. He calls men to stand firm in the faith, lead with courage, and love with conviction. As a Marine veteran, I found his message both convicting and refreshing. It’s not about chest-thumping, it’s about being anchored in Christ, leading with humility, and fighting the good fight for our families, churches, and communities.
Whether you're a young man trying to find your footing or a seasoned leader looking to sharpen your edge, this book will challenge you to rise up and live like the man God designed you to be.
Favorite quote: “Biblical manhood isn’t about being macho, it’s about being meek, submitted, and strong in the Lord.”
Highly recommend this for your next men’s group study or personal devotional time. Let’s raise up a generation of men who stand firm and act like men for the glory of God.
Stand Firm and Act Like a Man by Joby Martin
Just finished reading Joby Martin’s powerful book, and I’ve got to say, it’s a must-read for any man serious about living out biblical masculinity in a world that desperately needs it.
Martin doesn’t pull punches. He calls men to stand firm in the faith, lead with courage, and love with conviction. As a Marine veteran, I found his message both convicting and refreshing. It’s not about chest-thumping, it’s about being anchored in Christ, leading with humility, and fighting the good fight for our families, churches, and communities.
Whether you're a young man trying to find your footing or a seasoned leader looking to sharpen your edge, this book will challenge you to rise up and live like the man God designed you to be.
Favorite quote: “Biblical manhood isn’t about being macho, it’s about being meek, submitted, and strong in the Lord.”
Highly recommend this for your next men’s group study or personal devotional time. Let’s raise up a generation of men who stand firm and act like men for the glory of God.
October 20, 2025
In an age with the hyper feminization of men and on the other extreme you have toxic masculinity, Joby breaks down how he see's scripture break down manhood and why its essentially for a heathy society. He calls out the unhealthy and sinful mindsets that men fall into that ultimately hurt themselves and the women around us.
Honest, convicting, and a clear scriptural analysis gives this a great breakdown on one of the most lost truths of this generation - what does it mean to be a man.
If we can get back what we have lost here, society will heal.
Honest, convicting, and a clear scriptural analysis gives this a great breakdown on one of the most lost truths of this generation - what does it mean to be a man.
If we can get back what we have lost here, society will heal.
March 7, 2026
Joby speaks to aspects of faith I felt I was alone in
What non romantic love is and what that looks like truly is spoken about at length here, and I can relate to Joby in so many ways on this.
What non romantic love is and what that looks like truly is spoken about at length here, and I can relate to Joby in so many ways on this.
February 24, 2026
Good read. Challenges you to think about what it means to be a man from the Bible. Speaks in extremes at times, but I liked it.
October 10, 2025
Easily the best book on biblical masculinity I’ve ever read. The audible version was fantastic.
October 12, 2025
Wow what a great book! I have heard of Joby Martin, but was unfamiliar with who he really was before this book. I was very attracted to the title of the book as a Christian man and wanted to see what he said. After reading books before with the same topic that were kind of surfacy with no real substance besides a few scriptures and some ideas, I thought this would be not different. I was wrong. Joby does a fantastic job of balancing out God's word with stories, examples, and many suggestions laying out how to live these truths in today's context. He is very honest and transparent with his life challenging the reader with hard truths but in a very gracious way..
The one point I really enjoyed was that "true men of God surrender themselves before the cross, serve and lead their families..." rather than turning manhood into some macho stereotype. That tension - strength rooted in humility, leadership rooted in service- is definitely one of the strongest threads throughout this book.
Nothing major I didn't like about this book. Some of the chapters seemed to run a little long and were repetitive. Also in the book, the author does address women in a few things he says but really doesn't offer anything with the female side of the conversation. This is really minor though and this book is one I will be purchasing and giving out to men I know to encourage them as I was. I also will now go back and read his other books.
Thank you to NetGallery and FaithWords for the advance copy. This review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
The one point I really enjoyed was that "true men of God surrender themselves before the cross, serve and lead their families..." rather than turning manhood into some macho stereotype. That tension - strength rooted in humility, leadership rooted in service- is definitely one of the strongest threads throughout this book.
Nothing major I didn't like about this book. Some of the chapters seemed to run a little long and were repetitive. Also in the book, the author does address women in a few things he says but really doesn't offer anything with the female side of the conversation. This is really minor though and this book is one I will be purchasing and giving out to men I know to encourage them as I was. I also will now go back and read his other books.
Thank you to NetGallery and FaithWords for the advance copy. This review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
October 23, 2025
This book has A LOT of really good Gospel Truth and principles. That part of the book I really liked. However, it felt like the delivery and packaging of these Truths and principles was very poor. What the author claimed to be “boldness” and “directness” bordered on abrasiveness at times. And this is coming from someone (me) who is also very direct! It seems as though the author had very little grace for those who struggle to believe Truth in their hearts and apply the principles he was teaching. His language was often harsh and extreme. It felt like everything that was against what the author was saying was “stupid” or “dumb” or (my personal favorite) “a lie from the pit of Hell.” Now I agree with most, if not all, of what the author wrote, but I felt like he missed Colossians 4:6 - “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” I like Pastor Joby. I’ve listened to his podcast, and I think he is a very good teacher of the Word. This isn’t a bad book. I believe its teachings biblical manhood are great and much needed! I just think it can be discouraging rather than empowering for some who read it
February 25, 2026
I really did not like this book. This book is a protestant christian theology piece to provide insight on the expectations and duties of primarily boys and men. The author is friendly and means well but has a lot of flaws in his theology and his approach. He spends too much time discussing unnecessary details about a story that he implements to discuss the greater subject of a chapter. These stories tend to be self stroking ego trips.
Some of the concerns he addresses are valid partially. His primary ones are accountability and community. He goes into great detail in needing brotherhood, community, and leadership. This is a truth as a result of the protestant reformation and the expansion of “my way” in Christianity. Literally, all of the points he covered are already addressed in the Catholic church. Community and brotherhood are already reinforced in the school system, church, and the Columbus brotherhood/ other ministries. Additionally, he discusses leadership development within one’s self. This is solved when one looks at the active organization of the catholic church.
A huge red flag in this book is during a segment where the author is instructing fathers of a household. He directs the reader to imitate Jesus Christ at a dinner table and recite his words and actions of the Last Supper. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING. Men as fathers are not the sacrificial lamb of God. There is a whole essay alone to express the error of this action that I will save you from.
I pray this review helps you. If you feel this book will solve your life problems I highly encourage you to look up your nearest Catholic/Eastern Orthodox church and pray. Then ask for help from anyone there and they will guide you to the Good Shepherd.
The author opens the books with a very good argument. Most if not all non profits are instituted because man has failed to do what God has commanded us to do. To care for one another. This is probably the one piece I truly believe is worth the book. To save you money and time. I implore people to be charitable and help, from your local pantry to a global charity to the best of your ability.
Some of the concerns he addresses are valid partially. His primary ones are accountability and community. He goes into great detail in needing brotherhood, community, and leadership. This is a truth as a result of the protestant reformation and the expansion of “my way” in Christianity. Literally, all of the points he covered are already addressed in the Catholic church. Community and brotherhood are already reinforced in the school system, church, and the Columbus brotherhood/ other ministries. Additionally, he discusses leadership development within one’s self. This is solved when one looks at the active organization of the catholic church.
A huge red flag in this book is during a segment where the author is instructing fathers of a household. He directs the reader to imitate Jesus Christ at a dinner table and recite his words and actions of the Last Supper. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING. Men as fathers are not the sacrificial lamb of God. There is a whole essay alone to express the error of this action that I will save you from.
I pray this review helps you. If you feel this book will solve your life problems I highly encourage you to look up your nearest Catholic/Eastern Orthodox church and pray. Then ask for help from anyone there and they will guide you to the Good Shepherd.
The author opens the books with a very good argument. Most if not all non profits are instituted because man has failed to do what God has commanded us to do. To care for one another. This is probably the one piece I truly believe is worth the book. To save you money and time. I implore people to be charitable and help, from your local pantry to a global charity to the best of your ability.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2025
A good book on manhood. It is heavy on personal story and so is longer than it needs to be, but applies scripture well to manhood and has good challenges and actions for you to do at the end of each chapter.
December 7, 2025
This is a book on manhood that every Christian man needs to read. It feels in some gaps that you didn’t know you had. Stand up, act like men, let all you do be done and love. If you heard Joby sermon series on this, you know much of the content of the book, but I would still get the book because you can digest it better than listening to a message.
February 17, 2026
in my opinion a more Scripturally based version of Wild at Heart. pretty solid
March 1, 2026
One of my new favorite books on Biblical Manhood. Balances grace and responsibility really well. And super easy and fun to read!
January 11, 2026
Great book. Pastor Joby is definitely a gifted speaker. Greatly appreciated how expositional this book is. As a husband, and soon to be father, I am very grateful I read this. I didn't expect it to be as impactful as it was. Each chapter God illuminated something to me that I really had to sit and pray about. Recommend to anyone.
November 13, 2025
Decent book about Biblical manhood, albeit from a very basic popular perspective. Joby is good at explaining technical theological and Biblical concepts in very laymen terms, I can see this book being very effective for new converts or men who aren't avid readers, but a lot of this material is covered better in other books, such as Holiness by J.C Ryle, or Wild at Heart by John Eldredge, the latter of which Joby even admits he pulled from. Eldredge's book is often considered the quintessential biblical manhood book, and I agree, at least as a starting point. A main difference between John Eldredge and Joby's writing is that Eldredge is able to write to the common man without having to resort to pop culture references constantly and use modern slang to help make his points, which is by far the biggest problem of Joby's writing.
I probably won't read this again, but I'm glad I read it. I'm a fan of Joby Martin, even if I think he's a better podcast host/guest than a writer.
I probably won't read this again, but I'm glad I read it. I'm a fan of Joby Martin, even if I think he's a better podcast host/guest than a writer.
January 21, 2026
Disclaimer: I am a member of the church where the author is the lead pastor. Therefore, my review may contain some bias even though I attempted to be as objective as possible.
I would highly recommend this book to any man who wants to become more of what God has called them to become. I would even say this book can be very beneficial to women because there are a lot of general Christian principles, and it can help a woman looking for a godly man to know what to look for, and it can help women who are already in a relationship to appropriately encourage the man in their life to become a more godly man. There are a lot of books out there on masculinity, and this is one of the handful that really gets it right. It is a short book (just under 200 pages), and doesn’t have a lot of “fluff” in it. It really gets to the point of what it means to “act like a man”.
The book has 6 chapters and ends with final thoughts which really wraps the book up and encourages men to go forward with what they have learned from it. Each chapter contains some anecdote that is amusing, engaging and really drives the point he wants to make. Most chapters end with a prayer and a “Doing the Stuff” section to give some practical things for a man to enact what the chapter was saying.
I would say this book only contains a handful of practical things for godly men to do. This book is focused more on the mindset of what it is to be a godly man. So more positional than actionable. Therefore, I would consider this a great intro book to either get you on the right tracks of being a godly man, or help someone who has already been walking with God for a while to realign to what God has called him to be.
As great as this book is, there are a handful of problems that I noticed. The first one I noticed was the statement that the sabbath is meant to help us rest from work. Normally, I wouldn’t make a big deal about a statement like that because there is some truth to it, but the author, in a lot of his sermons and even later in this same book, makes such a point to emphasize that the sabbath isn’t intended to rest “from” work but to rest “to work”. I don’t know if it was an over site by the author or his ghost writer that he uses to write his books, but it is pretty contradictory.
Another issue I noticed was some of his views on singleness in the first chapter, and how he almost completely forgets about single men after that as his writing is focused to married fathers. Joby definitely has bad theology on singleness, and I think even he knows it because most sermons on singleness at the church he pastors are done by guest speakers. In this book he makes the claim that less than 1% of Christian’s are called to singleness. This may be just a hyperbole to make the statement that most people aren’t called to singleness, so I may be overly critical here. The one big thing that he mentions a lot in his sermons and that he mentioned in the first chapter is that, single people are supposed to use all of their free time for the church. I do think he is very wrong with that point. He is referencing 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 with that statement, but what Paul is saying there is that a person can be more devoted to the things of God if he is single versus if they are married. He is not saying that if you are single, you must spend all of your time serving the church. A lot of people,?either called to singleness or a season of singleness, can be overburdened with statements like that, and it is a burden that Joby is putting on them, not God.
Then, after putting the unnecessary burden on single people, he doesn’t directly address them for the rest of the book, and even forgets to include them in certain parts. He didn’t even make it out of the first chapter without forgetting about single people. For instance, the action steps at the end of chapters 1 and 6 are only for married men and fathers. He should have included steps for men in all stages of life if he really wanted this to be a book for all men. A majority of the book is practical for men in all stages of life, so I wouldn’t say to throw the book away if you are single. Just ignore the stuff he says in chapter one on singleness, and try to glean what you can out of the rest of the book.
I don’t want to end this review on the negatives. This is still a must read book. Even if you are not an avid reader, you should take the time to read this book. It is short and to the point, so anyone should be able to finish it in no time.
I would highly recommend this book to any man who wants to become more of what God has called them to become. I would even say this book can be very beneficial to women because there are a lot of general Christian principles, and it can help a woman looking for a godly man to know what to look for, and it can help women who are already in a relationship to appropriately encourage the man in their life to become a more godly man. There are a lot of books out there on masculinity, and this is one of the handful that really gets it right. It is a short book (just under 200 pages), and doesn’t have a lot of “fluff” in it. It really gets to the point of what it means to “act like a man”.
The book has 6 chapters and ends with final thoughts which really wraps the book up and encourages men to go forward with what they have learned from it. Each chapter contains some anecdote that is amusing, engaging and really drives the point he wants to make. Most chapters end with a prayer and a “Doing the Stuff” section to give some practical things for a man to enact what the chapter was saying.
I would say this book only contains a handful of practical things for godly men to do. This book is focused more on the mindset of what it is to be a godly man. So more positional than actionable. Therefore, I would consider this a great intro book to either get you on the right tracks of being a godly man, or help someone who has already been walking with God for a while to realign to what God has called him to be.
As great as this book is, there are a handful of problems that I noticed. The first one I noticed was the statement that the sabbath is meant to help us rest from work. Normally, I wouldn’t make a big deal about a statement like that because there is some truth to it, but the author, in a lot of his sermons and even later in this same book, makes such a point to emphasize that the sabbath isn’t intended to rest “from” work but to rest “to work”. I don’t know if it was an over site by the author or his ghost writer that he uses to write his books, but it is pretty contradictory.
Another issue I noticed was some of his views on singleness in the first chapter, and how he almost completely forgets about single men after that as his writing is focused to married fathers. Joby definitely has bad theology on singleness, and I think even he knows it because most sermons on singleness at the church he pastors are done by guest speakers. In this book he makes the claim that less than 1% of Christian’s are called to singleness. This may be just a hyperbole to make the statement that most people aren’t called to singleness, so I may be overly critical here. The one big thing that he mentions a lot in his sermons and that he mentioned in the first chapter is that, single people are supposed to use all of their free time for the church. I do think he is very wrong with that point. He is referencing 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 with that statement, but what Paul is saying there is that a person can be more devoted to the things of God if he is single versus if they are married. He is not saying that if you are single, you must spend all of your time serving the church. A lot of people,?either called to singleness or a season of singleness, can be overburdened with statements like that, and it is a burden that Joby is putting on them, not God.
Then, after putting the unnecessary burden on single people, he doesn’t directly address them for the rest of the book, and even forgets to include them in certain parts. He didn’t even make it out of the first chapter without forgetting about single people. For instance, the action steps at the end of chapters 1 and 6 are only for married men and fathers. He should have included steps for men in all stages of life if he really wanted this to be a book for all men. A majority of the book is practical for men in all stages of life, so I wouldn’t say to throw the book away if you are single. Just ignore the stuff he says in chapter one on singleness, and try to glean what you can out of the rest of the book.
I don’t want to end this review on the negatives. This is still a must read book. Even if you are not an avid reader, you should take the time to read this book. It is short and to the point, so anyone should be able to finish it in no time.
January 14, 2026
3.5 but I'll round up to 4. Overall, this is a helpful pump-up/fire-up kind of book for Christian men. I absolutely loved the structure of the book being 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, which says "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love." Each chapter is basically unpacking each of these attributes pointing to being a Godly man. I also loved how Martin ended each chapter with a call to action, with many/most of them being fantastic and very challenging (and much needed!).
Overall, I'd say Martin achieves this goal, and I ended up highlighting quite a few great nuggets, and I'll share my favorites below. My critique of Martin, though, is his writing style and as others have written the arrogance expressed throughout. I'm not sure if this is actually the way he is, or if he wrote this way to make him sound/feel more accessible to men, but I didn't always appreciate it. I also gathered that Martin is a bit of a simpleton (nothing wrong with that, and I sincerely believe you can and will have a wonderful relationship with Jesus), but I myself tend to be a bit more nuanced and deeper thinking as I approach my Biblical studies. God's creation is packed full of mysteries (many of which we'll not know on this side of heaven), and whenever an author takes a very black and white approach stance on essentially all topics and subjects, I lose a tad bit of interest/credibility. To clarify here, I am not at all referring to the major Biblical truths, such as Christ as Lord and that all who believe in him shall not perish, etc. But rather, the language Joby uses throughout as very absolute (all men struggle this way, enjoy these things, etc.; all women are this way and are weak this way, etc.). I just don't see the world as black and white, so I struggled a tad with that.
Here's some great points I got from this book, and I'd seriously recommend this to most men who are wanting a light Christian read that will certainly positively influence them:
- "The problems in your life are not the people in your life. They are not your enemy. Your problem is not your boss. Your problem is not your kids. Your problem is not a politician. And it's not your wife. You and I battle not against the flesh-and-blood people in our lives but against spiritual forces."
- "In John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." You want to know how to fasten the belt of truth in your house? Point everybody and thing to Jesus."
- "Ephesians 6:17 continues, "And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." I cannot communicate this enough. Dads, men, it is your job to teach the Word of God to your entire family, and you cannot teach what you do not know. When Jesus was attacked by the enemy, He replied the same way, It is written, it is written, it is written. Meaning, you've got to know the Word and how and when to speak it into your family's life."
- "Galatians 4:7 says: "So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God." Here's what this means, and it's very technical, so listen up-what Jesus does from the cross to the resurrection, legally, actually, and objectively adopts you into God's family. But God wants more than that, so He sends the Spirit of God to live inside of you so that you may emotionally and relationally experience the reality of what Jesus legally and actually did for you. So that we wouldn't have an orphan mentality, but a sonship mentality." So good!
Overall, I'd say Martin achieves this goal, and I ended up highlighting quite a few great nuggets, and I'll share my favorites below. My critique of Martin, though, is his writing style and as others have written the arrogance expressed throughout. I'm not sure if this is actually the way he is, or if he wrote this way to make him sound/feel more accessible to men, but I didn't always appreciate it. I also gathered that Martin is a bit of a simpleton (nothing wrong with that, and I sincerely believe you can and will have a wonderful relationship with Jesus), but I myself tend to be a bit more nuanced and deeper thinking as I approach my Biblical studies. God's creation is packed full of mysteries (many of which we'll not know on this side of heaven), and whenever an author takes a very black and white approach stance on essentially all topics and subjects, I lose a tad bit of interest/credibility. To clarify here, I am not at all referring to the major Biblical truths, such as Christ as Lord and that all who believe in him shall not perish, etc. But rather, the language Joby uses throughout as very absolute (all men struggle this way, enjoy these things, etc.; all women are this way and are weak this way, etc.). I just don't see the world as black and white, so I struggled a tad with that.
Here's some great points I got from this book, and I'd seriously recommend this to most men who are wanting a light Christian read that will certainly positively influence them:
- "The problems in your life are not the people in your life. They are not your enemy. Your problem is not your boss. Your problem is not your kids. Your problem is not a politician. And it's not your wife. You and I battle not against the flesh-and-blood people in our lives but against spiritual forces."
- "In John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." You want to know how to fasten the belt of truth in your house? Point everybody and thing to Jesus."
- "Ephesians 6:17 continues, "And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." I cannot communicate this enough. Dads, men, it is your job to teach the Word of God to your entire family, and you cannot teach what you do not know. When Jesus was attacked by the enemy, He replied the same way, It is written, it is written, it is written. Meaning, you've got to know the Word and how and when to speak it into your family's life."
- "Galatians 4:7 says: "So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God." Here's what this means, and it's very technical, so listen up-what Jesus does from the cross to the resurrection, legally, actually, and objectively adopts you into God's family. But God wants more than that, so He sends the Spirit of God to live inside of you so that you may emotionally and relationally experience the reality of what Jesus legally and actually did for you. So that we wouldn't have an orphan mentality, but a sonship mentality." So good!
December 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. In fact, it is perhaps one of numerous books that I would recommend that every man read. Certainly, there are elements that one might disagree with (at least I did) but the overall challenge of the book for men is excellent. Using I Corinthians 16:13-14 as the foundation, Martin unpacks the command in a very straightforward, practical way. So straightforward that some might find it hard to handle. In a world where manhood has been under attack for decades, where much confusion exists about manhood, the author offers a very clear delineation of a challenge for all men who want to be God's kind of man. He begins with the question: "Where have all the good men gone?" It's a legitimate question for sure. Martin is simply setting the stage by showing that our society has a fundamental problem and the problem has now entered the church. He then moves into defining what is a man, followed by chapters that address being watchful, standing firm, being strong, and being loving. He ends with a challenge to men to stand firm and act like a man. His closing thoughts triggered a literal lol from me (sorry coffee shop patrons as you heard me laugh out loud). I didn't laugh because I thought his point was ridiculous but because his story was hilarious as he came to a concluding thought. There were so many strengths in the book. I appreciated his own confession of how he often comes up short in regards to the many points that he exhorts us men to put into place.
One of the weaknesses is early on and I found it most unfortunate that he had to bring into this excellent book, his enjoyment for alcohol (No, I don't think it is wrong for every believer to enjoy a social drink). When I read it, I thought, "Dude, you don't have to list that to sell this book. We counsel people/believers all the time whose lives are wrecked by alcohol. Enjoy it if you so choose. I'm just not sure it is helpful for you as a pastor to bring that out." Others might find the weakness in his straightforwardness but it is reasonable to me that in a world of confusion about manhood and in a church that is often feminized, a blunt treatment of Biblical manhood is just what the doctor ordered.
I highly recommend this book to you.
One of the weaknesses is early on and I found it most unfortunate that he had to bring into this excellent book, his enjoyment for alcohol (No, I don't think it is wrong for every believer to enjoy a social drink). When I read it, I thought, "Dude, you don't have to list that to sell this book. We counsel people/believers all the time whose lives are wrecked by alcohol. Enjoy it if you so choose. I'm just not sure it is helpful for you as a pastor to bring that out." Others might find the weakness in his straightforwardness but it is reasonable to me that in a world of confusion about manhood and in a church that is often feminized, a blunt treatment of Biblical manhood is just what the doctor ordered.
I highly recommend this book to you.
September 15, 2025
When I saw the title of this audiobook (also available in print), I thought, “Well, this ought to be interesting.” My initial judgement was that it was going to be another “Go hiking. Drink beer with your buddies. Drive a lifted-up truck. Go hunting. And, oh, by the way, say a prayer so this book honors Jesus.” kind of book.
Then the audiobook started. The author, Pastor Joby Martin, starts telling a story about he and a buddy going canoeing. By his initial description of himself, I thought, “Oh. I forgot to add, “Get a religious tattoo to make sure everybody knows you’re a Christian. Aaaannnddd get drink another beer.”
By the end of the opening story, I was laughing at the author’s self-deprecating humor. By the end of the “Introduction” and before Chapter One started, I was hooked. Or should I say, hook, line, and sinker.
After chapter one was over, I stopped the audiobook to look this guy up. I’m now following him on Instagram and downloaded his podcast.
Every man needs to read this book. Not “religious” or a follower of Christ? That’s okay. Get it anyway. Actually, I highly recommend this audiobook. You will feel like you have met a good friend and are just sitting around talking. This friend knows you well enough to admit his struggles and you feel comfortable acknowledging yours. That kind of friend.
Backed with plenty of scripture and a lot of laughs, “Stand Firm & Act Like Men” is a challenge to be a better man, husband, father, friend, and most importantly, follower of Christ. And if you are worried that you won’t be able to identify with him, please, give it a chance. It’s not a “Put women in their place” and “Be more macho” kind of book. It is filled with sound, solid, applicable advice. And a bonus is at the end of each chapter; there is a challenge. DO THE CHALLENGES. You won’t be sorry.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Then the audiobook started. The author, Pastor Joby Martin, starts telling a story about he and a buddy going canoeing. By his initial description of himself, I thought, “Oh. I forgot to add, “Get a religious tattoo to make sure everybody knows you’re a Christian. Aaaannnddd get drink another beer.”
By the end of the opening story, I was laughing at the author’s self-deprecating humor. By the end of the “Introduction” and before Chapter One started, I was hooked. Or should I say, hook, line, and sinker.
After chapter one was over, I stopped the audiobook to look this guy up. I’m now following him on Instagram and downloaded his podcast.
Every man needs to read this book. Not “religious” or a follower of Christ? That’s okay. Get it anyway. Actually, I highly recommend this audiobook. You will feel like you have met a good friend and are just sitting around talking. This friend knows you well enough to admit his struggles and you feel comfortable acknowledging yours. That kind of friend.
Backed with plenty of scripture and a lot of laughs, “Stand Firm & Act Like Men” is a challenge to be a better man, husband, father, friend, and most importantly, follower of Christ. And if you are worried that you won’t be able to identify with him, please, give it a chance. It’s not a “Put women in their place” and “Be more macho” kind of book. It is filled with sound, solid, applicable advice. And a bonus is at the end of each chapter; there is a challenge. DO THE CHALLENGES. You won’t be sorry.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
February 26, 2026
Stand Firm and Act Like a Man by Pastor Joby Martin is such a great book that calls men to act like real men. To call them forth into the man God has called them to be. To be husbands who lead their wives, fathers that love their children, and men who actually act like men. In this book he addresses passivity and men who never grow up and act like boys. He addresses everything with scripture and what the Word of God says. This is such a great book for any man to read that truly wants to grow. Through Pastor Joby’s stories and personal life experiences, he weaves together such a powerful book and even practical steps to help you walk out what you’re reading. He has such a way of speaking truth to you, but doing so in grace and love. This book was very eye opening to me and it definitely challenged me in my walk. I would recommend this to any man who wants to grow and to call forth what is already inside of you that God has placed. I would even recommend this to any woman who wants to know what a man after Gods heart looks like. Being a man has nothing to do with how much money or things you have, or how strong you are. A true man is a man who seeks after Gods heart, and surrenders himself to God and loves and honors his wife. To lay down his life for her as Christ laid down his life for the church.
December 25, 2025
Okay I am torn on this one:
1. The introduction alone made the audio credit worth it
2. The introduction was the best part of the book
3. This book was not, I repeat, WAS NOT written to explicate deeply complex theological issues, it is more of a call to action based on a lot of self evident “basic” christian truths that men and women just lack the self discipline to live up to.
4. That being said, do not read this if you want to stay comfortable in your own ideas of biblical manhood, this author forces you into action. Like the book is ACTUALLY going to be wasted on you without the life changing disciplines actually being done.
5. A bit cliche and kitschy especially toward the end, lots of personal stories
6. Overall though, a good message for young men who are trying to figure out what biblical manhood actually looks like versus the misconceptions church and we ourselves impose on it
7. His emphasis on the physical action bits is great as long as you go into it with the understanding that there is a certain reciprocal relationship between works and the heart. Sometimes we do things because it’s a discipline and our heart is changed, other times it’s the other way around. The author leans into the first dynamic, the reader has to get over how that makes them feel.
1. The introduction alone made the audio credit worth it
2. The introduction was the best part of the book
3. This book was not, I repeat, WAS NOT written to explicate deeply complex theological issues, it is more of a call to action based on a lot of self evident “basic” christian truths that men and women just lack the self discipline to live up to.
4. That being said, do not read this if you want to stay comfortable in your own ideas of biblical manhood, this author forces you into action. Like the book is ACTUALLY going to be wasted on you without the life changing disciplines actually being done.
5. A bit cliche and kitschy especially toward the end, lots of personal stories
6. Overall though, a good message for young men who are trying to figure out what biblical manhood actually looks like versus the misconceptions church and we ourselves impose on it
7. His emphasis on the physical action bits is great as long as you go into it with the understanding that there is a certain reciprocal relationship between works and the heart. Sometimes we do things because it’s a discipline and our heart is changed, other times it’s the other way around. The author leans into the first dynamic, the reader has to get over how that makes them feel.
January 10, 2026
After listening to Joby in podcasts and interviews, I could clearly hear his voice talking as I read this book. He did a good job of writing the book conversationally, so it was an easy and pleasant read.
Regarding the material, I agree with many of his basic premises, but I feel as if the application of this book leans too far into surface-level, superficial Christianity. Joby ends each chapter with a section called “Doing the Stuff” where he lays out some action items for the readers. Rather than one-time acts of service (like feet-washing), I would love to have been given some concrete, repeatable steps to take that would move the needle in my life more toward being a godly man.
Overall, I do like his descriptors of a godly man. I was challenged and exhorted in his section discussing sabbath. If you, as a reader, aren’t in the realm of Biblical masculinity, perhaps this would be a helpful place to start. Otherwise, this book is a two-hour pep-talk/men’s conference speech that’s been written down.
Glad I read it, but it has left me wanting something of more substance.
Regarding the material, I agree with many of his basic premises, but I feel as if the application of this book leans too far into surface-level, superficial Christianity. Joby ends each chapter with a section called “Doing the Stuff” where he lays out some action items for the readers. Rather than one-time acts of service (like feet-washing), I would love to have been given some concrete, repeatable steps to take that would move the needle in my life more toward being a godly man.
Overall, I do like his descriptors of a godly man. I was challenged and exhorted in his section discussing sabbath. If you, as a reader, aren’t in the realm of Biblical masculinity, perhaps this would be a helpful place to start. Otherwise, this book is a two-hour pep-talk/men’s conference speech that’s been written down.
Glad I read it, but it has left me wanting something of more substance.
March 8, 2026
I wasn't sure what to expect getting into this one, but it was Biblically sound & enjoyable to read. I would recommend this to anyone, particularly men, but also to wives, moms, & girlfriends that want the best for the men in their lives.
Takeaways & Quotes
- The root of our society's problems isn't a lack of manhood, but a lack of Biblical manhood.
- "The world is messed up. It's broken. And it's in desperate need of healing. Out problem is that we tend to point the finger at other groups and argue if they could get their act together the world would be a better place, but all throughout scripture when God was looking to intervene and bring about healing to a society he only looked at one place: His people. 'If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' 2 Chronicles 7:14"
- "If the enemy can't make you bad, he'll make you busy."
Takeaways & Quotes
- The root of our society's problems isn't a lack of manhood, but a lack of Biblical manhood.
- "The world is messed up. It's broken. And it's in desperate need of healing. Out problem is that we tend to point the finger at other groups and argue if they could get their act together the world would be a better place, but all throughout scripture when God was looking to intervene and bring about healing to a society he only looked at one place: His people. 'If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' 2 Chronicles 7:14"
- "If the enemy can't make you bad, he'll make you busy."
February 27, 2026
I was introduced to this book a week ago at my F3 men's group. We only discussed chapters 1 & 2 but I was interested and bought it. After finishing it today, I find myself to be very inspired to become a better man, husband, father, and follower of Christ. The book challenges men to become men in a Biblical sense- doing all things through love and compassion and through the teachings of the Bible and Jesus. I realized I have quite a way to go as far as making myself a better Christian. But the book points the way. I have thought a lot about how I can be a better husband and father to my now adult children in the past few days. I plan to put those thoughts to work in my daily life starting now. As for my journey to being a better Christian, I also plan to start working on that today. I would recommend this book to all men, and their wives would absolutely get a lot out of it as well.
March 7, 2026
“The point is this: If you're gonna be a man, that means you run toward the pain, not away from it.”
There’s about 100 quotes I pulled from this book, but this one summarizes the message better than the rest. There’s very few men to have a bigger impact on my life than Joby Martin. Joby makes it his mission in this book to teach what it really means to be a man, which is the complete opposite of what the world says a man is. My conclusion from reading this book is that to be a man is to live, lead, and most importantly love like Jesus. The hard truth of this is that no man can perfectly do these things. I felt more convicted reading this book than probably any other before. Jesus ran towards the pain for us, and if a man is going to love like Jesus, then he will do the same. Jesus stood firm and acted like a man, and He calls every man to do the same. I already know this will be one of my favorite books of the year.
There’s about 100 quotes I pulled from this book, but this one summarizes the message better than the rest. There’s very few men to have a bigger impact on my life than Joby Martin. Joby makes it his mission in this book to teach what it really means to be a man, which is the complete opposite of what the world says a man is. My conclusion from reading this book is that to be a man is to live, lead, and most importantly love like Jesus. The hard truth of this is that no man can perfectly do these things. I felt more convicted reading this book than probably any other before. Jesus ran towards the pain for us, and if a man is going to love like Jesus, then he will do the same. Jesus stood firm and acted like a man, and He calls every man to do the same. I already know this will be one of my favorite books of the year.
March 26, 2026
I got the privilege of hearing Pastor Joby Martin recently at the Summit Church. The message title was Watch Out. During the introduction by Pastor JD Greer, he mentions this book.
God blessed my heart from Joby. After hearing the message. I felt compelled to get this book. And I must say, I’m glad God nudged to get the book. It is truly an amazing work of art. Joby and the transparency and candor is truly inspiring.
I told my men’s group about it this morning. It has blessed my heart in such a positive profound way. And for me the chapter that stood out to me the most was the LOVE chapter. Fantastic penmanship. I’m rereading the book again. And this particular chapter I’ve already read it multiple times.
Thank you Pastor Joby for allowing our Great Creator and Merciful Father to use the gift within you to bless us, the readers, your friend and neighbor in this way. I pray blessings upon you, your family and community. Blessings my brother.
God blessed my heart from Joby. After hearing the message. I felt compelled to get this book. And I must say, I’m glad God nudged to get the book. It is truly an amazing work of art. Joby and the transparency and candor is truly inspiring.
I told my men’s group about it this morning. It has blessed my heart in such a positive profound way. And for me the chapter that stood out to me the most was the LOVE chapter. Fantastic penmanship. I’m rereading the book again. And this particular chapter I’ve already read it multiple times.
Thank you Pastor Joby for allowing our Great Creator and Merciful Father to use the gift within you to bless us, the readers, your friend and neighbor in this way. I pray blessings upon you, your family and community. Blessings my brother.
June 9, 2025
Stand Firm and Act Like Men is the first book I’ve read written by Pastor and author, Joby Martin, and it definitely won’t be the last. This is a great book outlining the biblical definition and responsibilities of manhood. Whether you’re a new Christian or one that’s well seasoned, this book provides great insights into what it means to be a man in today’s world.
I enjoyed reading this book and loved how Joby interweaves his own humor, stories and experiences throughout the book as illustrations. He closes each chapter with a prayer and offers readers practical applications to help live out biblical manhood. He covers a variety of topics pertaining to masculinity such as standing firm, being watchful, being strong, and what love is.
I thankfully received a free electronic advance reader copy of this book FaithWords via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
I enjoyed reading this book and loved how Joby interweaves his own humor, stories and experiences throughout the book as illustrations. He closes each chapter with a prayer and offers readers practical applications to help live out biblical manhood. He covers a variety of topics pertaining to masculinity such as standing firm, being watchful, being strong, and what love is.
I thankfully received a free electronic advance reader copy of this book FaithWords via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
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