Five Stones: The Essentials of Manning-UpSample

Stone 3 – Guard: Keep Watch with Righteous Principles.

“Be on guard.”
Corinthians 16:13. NLT

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “Man-up”?

For most, this is simply a call to action they know they should not ignore. For some, it might come across as a daunting and insensitive challenge. In essence, it is a draft call for men to get over themselves, to take a stand, to make a sacrifice.

Today, we look at what it means to man-up spiritually. It is a divine invitation to an adventure, while also accepting that you will face adversity. As men of God, we are called up to stand upon principles and serve with character. We are called to man-up and keep watch with righteousness.

This requires divine direction on a regular basis. We cannot stand in righteousness without the Righteous One. It requires us to walk with God, discovering more of who He is and who we were created to be. It is revealed to us by the voice of the Holy Spirit in us, the character of Christ set as example before us, and the knowledge and understanding we acquire from studying God’s Word. It is the sacred adventure during which we learn to deal with the secular adversity of our everyday lives.

Standing guard with righteous principle is integrity by intention. It is not the hope that we’ll do the right thing by default. It is the decision to be aligned with God’s way before trouble comes our way, instead of grasping for straws after the mudslide already started. David, the man after God’s own heart, was intentional with his integrity. That’s why we see, despite having ample chance to remove King Saul from his throne, he waited for God to implement the change Himself (1 Samuel 24 & 26). Later, when David does take the throne, we see a country in united favor of him, since he had already lived his life and fought his battles with integrity and righteousness (2 Samuel 5:1-5).

However, we also see what happened later in David’s life when he was not where God wanted him to be, was not intentional about living with integrity, nor guarding his life and family with righteous principles. Firstly, it led to adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), then the rape of his daughter (2 Samuel 13), followed by the rebellion of his son (2 Samuel 15). Eventually pride entering his heart (2 Samuel 24), and in all these instances it resulted in the deaths of many. Yet, when he realized his wrongdoing, David always repented with immediate and wholesome effect. A man after God’s own heart.

Realize today that as a man, the way in which you conduct yourself and treat others, may not only affect your own life, but also the lives of those God entrusted to you. Standing on and serving from a place of righteous principles will have a magnificent impact on your household, your relationships, and your daily work.

So, be on guard and man-up with intentional integrity.

Meditations on Manning-up:

- What principles do you need to guard over more intentionally as a man?

- How can you ensure that you live with integrity, despite facing adversity?

- What do you need to pray for today?