Men of God Cannot Be Passive

     Men of God are not passive. This may not be a popular opinion in a "feel good" Christianity of today, but if we are to be people that honor God(specifically speaking to men) then we cannot be passive when it comes to sin. Keith Chancey of Kanakuk Kamps puts it this way, "When a man lacks self-control, it leads to destruction".
​     When Eve took of the fruit in the garden, where was Adam? Apparently he must have been standing their watching because Genesis 3:6 says, "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." The command from the Lord to not eat of the tree was first given to Adam and when he was given the fruit, he did not question, he simply stood by passively and ate. As the rest of the story in Genesis 3 goes, the fall occurs due to the sin of the man and his wife. Adam was passive when it came to obeying the Lord and it lead to destruction. 
     In 1 Corinthians 16:13, it says, "Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong" (NASB). Other translations say "be courageous" instead of "act like men", either way, the sentiment is still the same. Paul is telling the church in Corinth that when it comes to sin, we cannot be passive because it leads to destruction. If we claim to be Christians and to be followers of the way then there is no room for passivity. We are called to be strong and stand firm in the faith. This takes discipline and hard work. 1 Timothy 4:8 says, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (NIV). Men, we ought to be willing to discipline ourselves for Godliness and lead out in holiness because in today's world passivity simply will not do. Disciplining ourselves for Godliness means being rooted and planted in the Word of God so that we man stand firm in the faith and so that when sin comes our way, we may flee temptation. Psalm 1 says, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but he delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not whither" (ESV). Meditating on the Word of God day and night means to soaked it up; to drench your soul in the sweetness of God's truth. Hide God's Word in your heart and saturate yourself with truth so that you may be ready to fight the good fight and stand firm in the faith.
     Finally, 1 Corinthians 10:13 talks about how there is no temptation that has overtaken Christians that is uncommon to mankind, and that God is faithful to not let anyone be tempted more than they can bear and there will always be a way of escape. There is power in the name of Jesus. Men of God cannot be passive. Men of God are called to lead, to shepherd, to guide, to protect, to love, to listen, and to pursue holiness, and in that endeavor, passivity simply will not do.