5 Mandates for the Godly ManSample

Be Alert

1 Peter 5:8 NIV “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

The world is loaded with ”seducers'“who are watching, waiting, tempting, and infiltrating your life. Whenever and wherever they get the opportunity, they will attack. The question is: are you aware and alert enough to who or what is on the prowl? From phones, computers, people, work, etc., all kinds of things appeal to men, saying, "Take a load off. Relax. Let your guard down, it's harmless banter!" All the while, the enemy of your soul is planning to take you out. For the pastor, it can be the woman who keeps sending signals. It could be the beer located conveniently for the husband, just at the end of the grocery aisle. These seducers are relentless and continuously try to get the man to live a worldly life, or worse, willfully sin against Almighty God! People who live life unaware of what is going on in the world are those I call "Sleepers."

Other men are equally unaware of their surroundings. Guys who typically believe they are the world's center. The preoccupied business guy barges into the office. Oblivious to his co-workers, he continues in a deep conversation on his phone. Neither the self-centered man nor the lazy man is fulfilling his call from God. He isn’t even fulfilling the first Mandate of Manhood, to "Be Alert"! 

The preoccupied businessman has no clue he's about to succumb to being involved with another woman, until one night, he looks around after work and sees it is just the two of them, working together alone in the office. We all know what frequently happens next! Spiritually, this man is very much like a lone gazelle surrounded by a hungry pack of lions. 

Physically and spiritually, we need to keep our eyes open. The danger is everywhere. It's in the office with the overly flirtatious new assistant. It's at the end of the grocery store aisle in the cooler. It‘s on the corner of the street in the dope dealer's hand. Being alert helps us to be aware of who we are and our surroundings.

I don't believe the Lord is just telling us to be mindful of the dangers. I believe He is saying to be alert to what He is doing in your life—to be aware as to who you are and the opportunities God is sending your way! 

But before we can walk in the glory of God, we must “Be Alert“ regarding this fallen world and its seductions and overcome them all!