“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13

A man who does not protect his family is a worthless man. We know this instinctively. I am not speaking of men who are unfortunately disabled and therefore are hindered in their ability to protect their family in the greatest capacity. No, I am talking about a man who would let another man attack his wife or children. A man who would just stand by and watch while another man abuses his family. A man who hides in the closet when there are noises downstairs. The very image of such a man brings anger and sorrow to our hearts.

This is the very first failure of our father Adam. In Genesis 3 we are told the story of how the devil tempts Eve:

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.”

There he is, Adam, standing there like a coward letting his wife be deceived by the devil and what does he do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Even worse he takes part in the deception. How sad. How shameful. Yet can we be guilty of the very same thing? Are we not often the same as our father Adam?

God calls for men in the church to lead in discernment. Paul charges the Corinthian men to act like men. What is essential to acting like a man? Being watchful. Brothers, it is a shameful and effeminate thing if you are not training the powers of your discernment (Hebrews 5:14 ). God calls us to take the lead in our families and churches to watch for the devil’s schemes. Polemical ministry can feel burdensome, but it is a burden we must carry for the sake of our famillies.

Paul warns Timothy as to the nature of false teachers:

“For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” – 2 Timothy 3:6-7

There are men who are wolves. Men who would use their lies to sway weak women in the church just to get their foothold in the door. Just as their father the devil deceived Eve so too these men seek to capture the minds of our sisters. We must stand against it.

This is a call to all husbands, sons, fathers, brothers, pastors, and deacons to take up arms. Equip yourself for battle! Avail yourself the whole Armour of God! Study your Scriptures so you might identify false doctrine. Look at our mighty King Jesus and how mercilessly he spotted error! Discern the men or women in your church who seek to sneak sensual doctrines into your church. Sniff out the Trojan horse of the devil so that the body of Christ might be sparred the devil’s schemes.

This is your duty men, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”