Have you ever dreamed of being a knight in shining armor? I have. It’s a reputable fantasy for sure. Now, theres a slight possibility that either of us will ever really fulfill that dream in its classical sense. You probably won’t ever own a stallion, let alone ride it around town and use it to pick up your date. Knighthood was centered around chivalry. Though we can’t be a knight in function - killing your enemies on site and riding around on a cool horse - we can be a knight in principle. Chivalry defined is - “The qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women.”

Though we cannot time warp back to the medieval times, we can certainly be a modern day knight, a gentleman. It is not enough however, to be a gentleman, we must be Christian gentlemen. Being a Christian gentleman goes beyond simple manners and etiquette, it is lifestyle of courtesy and integrity toward others motivated by the Holy Spirit. The motivating factor of a Christian gentleman is to show the love of God to others.

Do you want to be known as a Christian gentleman? Read Philippians 4:8. This needs to become your heartbeat. If you truly want to be the man God wants you to be, it won’t happen all at once, you have to start small. We’ll start with some proper etiquette. Here are a few practical tips on how to improve your gentleman finesse’.

1. Watch your mouth.
   • Crude humor will not win you any points with the girls, old or young, or for that matter, with anyone of good reputation.
   • A Christian gentleman never disgraces himself with slander of others. (Philippians 4:8)
2. Keep your bodily functions private.
   • Gaseous fumage never won the heart of a dame. As guys, we often compete to see how loud our trupmets can blow and how much methane fallout we can produce. Bottom line, keep your gases to yourself. You cannot influence anyone, let alone make that pretty girl fall in love with you by publicly fumigating a room.
   • Don’t spit in public. It’s gross to step on, and no one wants to see the colorful glob coming out of your mouth.
   • Burping should only be done when necessary, and without force from the belly. This tends to increase your burp volume. If you have to burp find a private room, like the bathroom, to expel your nastiness. If you can’t, cover your mouth and do it as quietly as possible.
   • The smell from your armpits should always be pleasant.
   • Bad breath and food in your teeth is not attractive to the ladies. Consciously take care of your teeth. Someday, you want your wife to want to kiss you.
   • Placing your fingers in any orfice of your head is usually not socially acceptable. (i.e. Picking your nose, digging for gold in your ear, fishing for leftovers in your teeth) Interstingly, eating your own mucus has been known to enhance your immune system, just don’t do it in public.
3. Open the door for ladies.
   • We do not open the door because they are ladies, we open the door because we are gentlemen. The feminist movement frowns on this act of courtesy. This is not an act of comparing the sexes, it is a courtesy hardwired into a gentlemen.
   • This includes car doors, and anything that has a hinge on it that she can walk through.
4. Maam and Sir are still part the English vocabulary. This is conversational chivalry.

You are on your way to becoming a Godly gentleman. The world needs more modern knights in shining armor. You can be one, only if you want to be. It takes hard work and discipline, but your world will become a better place, and people will respect you more as well. Check back next week for Part 2…