1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
As the world spins and sins faster and faster out of control, it gets harder and harder to stand and fight against all the forces that are arrayed against us. We want to stand for morality, for justice and for truth. Yet, we are surrounded and assailed by both friends and foes alike to just take it easy. I hear it all the time: “Don’t be so adamant. Don’t be so pushy. After all, it’s only a very small compromise and in the whole scheme of things it won’t really matter very much. Why do you have to think and act so strangely? Why can’t you just have fun and let others enjoy themselves? Why do you think you are the only one with morals? Why can’t you just keep quiet?”
Somedays, it feels like my soul is dying with all these little foxes – little compromises and breaches against God’s commandments that we are supposed to just quietly endure. Yet, down deep in my heart of hearts, I know the fight is critical! Not only for myself, but for all those around me as well. They need to see someone stand and take the blows and the punishment for doing the right thing. They need to see someone willing to lay it all down and suffer for righteousness’ sake. Especially, my little ones. They need to know I will not compromise my beliefs or my values. They need to know I am not a hypocrite. If I impart anything to them, it must be that I am who I say I am and there is no shadow of turning in me – just like there is no shadow of turning in our heavenly Father.
“A man must have a battle to fight, a great mission to his life that involves and yet transcends even home and family. He must have a cause to which he is devoted even unto death, for this is written into the fabric of his being. That is why God created you–to be his intimate ally, to join him in the Great Battle.” ~ John Eldridge, Wild at Heart
Our mission is to be consistently righteous! We must always choose to do the right thing – no matter what the cost to us personally may be. If I say I am pro life, does my spending reflect that assertion or do I support and fund those who advocate pro choice? If I know my purchase will be funneled to export pornography do I make that purchase anyway? We must be real – in absolutely everything. Every penny we spend reflects on who we are. Every time we turn on the television, do we jump to the titillating or erotic shows? Do we say to ourselves, “it is only a little sin – God understands.” You know what, God does understand. And, that is precisely why He hates sin so much! I really like Psalm 101:
Psalm 101:2 I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.
Walk with integrity even when no one is looking. Walk with integrity especially when no one is looking! You see, God is always looking for a humble and contrite heart that is obedient so He can bless that person with favor. And, God’s favor is priceless! It is more precious than fine gold or choice silver. I am a man who walks in the favor of the Most High! How do I do that?
I seek God daily. I spend time in His Word and with His Word who became flesh. I believe every Word God has spoken and I try my very best to obey at all times. I look for ways to make God’s name be honored and revered. I anticipate God’s hand in my life and I see Him working in, and to and through me every single day. This is not because of anything particularly special about me. It is because this is what God said He would do!
Psalm 5:12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.
Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
As men, we need to step up and answer the call of God. We need to forsake everything that is not of Him and embrace everything that is of Him. We need to do this for ourselves, for our families and our neighbors and our coworkers. If not us, then who? If not now, then when?
Father, please help us to become real men and women after your own heart. Help us to forsake every appearance of evil and do right in every situation. Help us to choose life over death at every turn in the road we are on. Help us oh Lord to not be hypocrites or marginal, or – God forbid – lukewarm. Fan the flames of your Spirit within us and cause us to tremble at your Word! Help us to see and discern the times we are living in. Help us to realize how close we are to the end of all things written in your Word. And, Father please help us to reach out and help rescue our brothers and sisters who do not have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life for time is indeed growing short. We pray in the precious name of Jesus of Nazareth who came in the flesh to rescue the lost and to destroy the works of the enemy! Amen.
The Warrior Anointing 