Men - Protectors

I have recently been reminded that men are to be "protectors".  Sure to some it is obvious and natural but to others this concept has been lost and gone with things considered to be "old school".  It is easy to understand when we look at Bible verses that talk about Husbands caring for their wives and families.  Whether you are looking at the language of Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Peter or the rest of the Bible we can see clearly the importance of a man's role as a husband and father.  This is important and we need to be those men.

Yet even for the single guys, this is true.  It make sense for a father to want to protect the purity and reputation of his daughter.  Not only is this natural but it is Biblical.  Fathers are to be protectors and it is good and to be encouraged.  Of course when that father hands his daughter off to a good Christian man in marriage, he as a father is giving his daughter to another man and expect him to become her protector.  So now the Husband is there to protect his wife, not only physically but also her reputation and heart etc...  These teachings and transitions are good and Biblical.  But what about the single guys?

Well the Bible teaches that we are the "family" of God and as such we are all brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.  So as brothers we are called to not only support each other as men, to walk together and challenge each other so that we grow strong in the faith.  But we are to be protectors of our brothers and  our sisters.  As single Christian guys we are to protect the ladies.  We are to protect them physically, sure, but also their hearts and reputations.  We are to help them so that they do not feel remorse or shame because of things that would dis-honor them and our God.  So this means that Christian single guys should not be looking to date every single girl they find at Church, youth group or young adults.  Christian guys are to be seeking to protect their sisters from such "predators" and instead help them to be prepared for being wives.  This means that the guys need to work on being godly men, who are going to be good husbands.

So, guys, it is time to really think through your decisions.  Things may seem fun and harmless to you, but your decisions are not "neutral".  You are constantly making decisions that will either honor God and protect and build up others or you are making choices that are sinful and hurtful.  Sure you might think your choices are only hurting you, but for sure they are damaging to your relationship with God.  Also your poor choices are damaging others, today and for the future.  You see, our sin has consequences.  Yes in Christ we receive forgiveness of our sin as we "repent" of it.  "Repent" means to stop going in the sinful way and turn around and head in God's direction.  But the natural consequences of sin are still there, relationships are still damaged, reputations are still poor, your mind is still full of polluted images, pregnancy can happen, addictions are still there, etc...  I hope you get the idea.

Guys you are either living as a "Godly Man" who is a protector or you are sinning and damaging yourself, your relationship with God and His Body (the Church).  So I would urge you all to become who God has made you to be and to fight against the "old self" or the "natural man" and instead become a "Christ like warrior".

Let us fight on together.

Preacherman