The last great battle between good and evil will be over marriage and the family.
—Sister Lucia of Fatima
Let’s be real: the world is coming at young men hard. From the constant scroll of social media to the hookup culture on dating apps, it’s easy to get pulled into a version of manhood that’s more about flexing than faithfulness. But God has bigger plans. Evil doesn’t create anything new—it just twists what God made good. And what’s the devil’s biggest target? That which God has made good, namely, you, made in His image (Gen. 1:27), and the two things that build up human society: the gift of life and the sacred bond of marriage.
We may recall how Jesus shuts down the Pharisees’ tricky questions about divorce. He doesn’t just give them a rule to follow; He points back to God’s original design for love—a design that’s bigger than our messed-up hearts. Even though sin has made things complicated, Jesus offers a way to rise above it. He’s not about managing your mistakes; He’s about transforming your heart so you can love like He does.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus lays it out plain: “You’ve heard it said, ‘Don’t commit adultery.’ But I tell you, anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery in his heart” (Mt. 5:27-28). This isn’t about guilt-tripping; it’s a challenge to step up—to see women as God sees them, not as objects for your own gratification. Being a man of God means guarding your heart and your eyes, choosing respect over temptation.
The Fall: When the World Got Messed Up
God created you—male and female—in His image, with the incredible calling to love like He does (Gen. 1:27), but the Fall threw everything off track. In Genesis 3, the serpent slithers in with a lie: “Did God really say you can’t eat from any tree?” (Gen. 3:1). That lie wasn’t just about fruit; it was about making Adam and Eve doubt God’s goodness. They took the bait, and sin broke the harmony between men, women, and God.
Today, that brokenness is everywhere. Think about the last time you were scrolling through Instagram or TikTok. Half-naked influencers, suggestive ads, or straight-up porn are just a swipe away. These things aren’t just “entertainment”—they train you to see women as objects, not people with dignity. Consider hookup culture on apps like Tinder, where relationships are reduced to quick thrills. As Bishop Fulton Sheen said, “Only those who live by faith really know what’s happening in the world.” Without God’s perspective, it’s easy to get sucked into a cycle that leaves you empty.
Jesus and the Call to Protect Dignity
Pope John Paul II, in his letter Mulieris Dignitatem, shows how Jesus always honored women’s dignity. Look at the story of the woman caught in adultery (Jn. 8:3-11). The crowd was ready to stone her, but Jesus turned it around. He didn’t ignore her sin, but He first called out the men: “Let the one without sin cast the first stone” (Jn. 8:7). Then He told her, “Go and sin no more” (Jn. 8:11). Jesus saw her as a person, not just her mistake, and He challenged the men to own their own sins.
This story hits hard for guys. Society often lets men off the hook while women face the consequences. Think about a guy who pressures his girlfriend into sex, then bails when she gets pregnant. Or the culture that celebrates “players” but shames women for the same choices. Jesus is calling you to be different—to take responsibility for your actions and protect the dignity of the women in your life. That’s what real strength looks like.
Pornography is another battleground. It’s not just a “guy thing” or harmless fun—it rewires how you see women, relationships, and even yourself. It’s a lie that promises satisfaction but delivers loneliness. Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:28 aren’t about shaming you; they’re about freeing you to love authentically. You’re called to be a protector, not a consumer, of God’s gift of human dignity.
Your Conscience: Where You Become a Man
John Paul II called your conscience the place where “time and eternity meet.” It’s where you decide what kind of man you want to be. Every day, you face choices: swipe right for a hookup or hold out for real love? Click on that link or shut it down? Stand up for what’s right or stay silent? The Fall tempts you to take the easy road—lust, selfishness, or apathy. But Jesus gives you the strength to choose better.
Young men, this is your moment. Jesus is asking you to check your heart. Are you living for love that lasts, or chasing what feels good now? Your conscience, guided by God’s truth, is your compass. As John Paul II put it, this is the “fundamental question of your youth”—it shapes the man you’ll become, the relationships you’ll build, and the legacy you’ll leave. You’re not just fighting for yourself; you’re fighting for the women you’ll love, the family you might build, and the world you’ll impact.
Stepping Up Today
The world will keep throwing lies at you—through your phone, your friends, or even your own doubts. But you don’t have to face it alone. Jesus offers the power to rise above temptation and live as a man of God. That means saying no to what cheapens love and yes to what builds it up. It means treating every woman—on a screen or in real life—as a sister in Christ. It means forming your conscience through prayer, Scripture, and good mentors so you can stand strong.
Author’s Note: Claymore is a discipleship movement for courageous individuals, especially young men, committed to reclaiming their freedom and territory for Christ, by fostering a culture of life, liberty, and authentic love. Download the Claymore, Milites Christi Blueprint here and review the Discussion Questions together!
Photo by Sebastian Romero on Unsplash
