Being a Godly Man Series #1

STEP UP

Lead. Initiate. Be a man of action.
Assume it is your job and your moment. Hate apathy. Reject passivity.

“Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight.”
— 2 Samuel 10:7, 12

“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.”
— Ezekiel 22:30

Too often, our generation (especially, but not only men) clings to the mindset of "that’s not my job" or "I’m above that." But the call to be a godly man means serving wherever you are needed. Jesus Himself served in ways far beneath what He deserved — even dying for our sins. Let us serve as He did.

Other Scripture:
Psalm 101, Proverbs 14:23, Proverbs 20:6, Jeremiah 5:1, John 10:11–13, James 1:23–25

SPEAK UP

Silence in the midst of sin is sin.
Be courageous. Fear God, not man. Speak the truth in love. See, the part many Christians tend to miss is that love part. They believe it means that because they love someone, they have to say something. While yes, that is true—we should look out for those we love—it is very easy for our words, when not welcomed, to come off as judgment. For example, when a friend is struggling with addiction or another issue, simply calling out their issue and telling them their actions are sinful is not just counterproductive, but rather unempathetic.

But with Love

Jesus did not judge or speak harshly to those he encountered, but often spoke gently, ate with them, or asked them to give him water. I had two friends in college who struggled with their own inner demons, as many of us do. Instead of those surrounding them asking if they were okay, being there for them, praying with them, and having open arms - they pointed fingers, said they have to stop as they are in sin, and even tried to reach out to the leaders in their church to have them kicked out. Needless to say, this didn't make them feel very loved by God's family. What is sad is that this was happening at a very well-known Christian University, which shall remain unnamed. They left the university and still struggle to this day, closed off in more ways than they were before.

“Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”
— Proverbs 27:5–6

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.”
— Proverbs 31:8–9

“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit... giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing... The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
— 1 Peter 3:8–12 (excerpt)

Even when we feel justified in our anger, we must guard our words. Judging others harshly while we stumble invites God’s judgment.

Other Scripture:
Proverbs 14:25, Proverbs 15:1–2, Proverbs 24:11–12, Isaiah 8:11–13, Jeremiah 1:17, Romans 1:16