I’ve been reading this book 2 friends of mine recently recommended to me titled: Stand Firm and Act Like Men, by Joby Martin. The chapter I just read was talking about being watchful. Which comes from 1st Corinthians 16:13-14 ESV “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”. Now where else in the bible have, we heard or seen before to be watchful? How about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He told his disciples to keep watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

You see as a man, being watchful is a very high calling that you were given strength to do, and not just physical strength but also spiritual strength from God. The reality is that in this life we have 1 true enemy, and that enemy’s stated desire is to take you out. He wants to kill you and take you off the path and plans that God has for you and for your life.

Why does Satan want to do this? Well, if he can take out the defender, then by definition, somebody is left defenseless, making it much easier for him to accomplish his mission. My wife and I used to be Youth Directors for about 6 years. You want to know one of the main things I saw and came to realize? Most of the youth had a dysfunctional family and most of the time no father figure in the house.

Now sometimes the father was present in the home but not really present at all. What am I talking about? Well, men are supposed to be the spiritual leaders in the home, and defenders. I think we have a lot of men out there who are not taking up this responsibility given to us by God.

1st Peter 5:8 ESV says “Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around you like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”. In this book Pastor Joby talks about: What it really means to be a Man of God who truly follows God. One of the things he reiterates is the phrase “To stand up and like a man, you must first bow down and surrender to Jesus”. I wonder today when was the last time you came humbly before the Lord and asked him to help you lead your family?

Even if you’re not married, don’t have kids, or don’t have a lot of family, being a Man of God is a mandate to all of men created in God’s image or likeness. We are called to be image-bearers, not just Fathers. This is a commission to reflect His likeness through godly character in our life.

Bible Verses:

1st Corinthians 16:13-14 ESV / 1st Peter 5:8 ESV / Genesis 1: 26-27

Questions:

When was the last time you humbly came before the Lord?

Are you a man of God who truly follows God?

What is stopping you from being a Man of God?