John 8:1-11
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Dear friends, do we blame only the woman in this scenario? What about the men? This woman was about to die because of her sin, but what about the man, or men, who joined with her in this sin?
Is any one sin worse than another? The only sin the Bible tells us that is unforgiveable is the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. So, listen, please, all of us who have committed sin and all of those who condemn those who have also sinned. Is it our place? Is it your place, to condemn others to death because of their sins? Did Jesus not forgive this woman of adultery? Can you not also find it in your heart to forgive?
Now, men, listen to me, says the Holy Spirit! Are you not the defenders of your family? Were you not raised by the Holy Spirit to defend the weaker among us? Does it not resonate within your sole to deny yourself the pleasures of a woman who is not your own? Were you not groomed to be the defender of your family? Why, then, do you give into the temptation of another woman? Do you not know that all she can offer you is but a simple distraction from the mission that your Father has called you to? We all need to feel love, but perverted love is not gratifying. Like a cancer, it will eat you alive. Why then do you accept the tender touches of another woman? Does it not deter you from your call to defend that which God, your commander in chief, has assigned you to? Have you not accepted this mission from your commander? From your Father? You have the utmost of responsibility thrust upon you. Why? Because you were called to defend.
Men, our brides are the weaker sex. Not inferior, but weaker. Our position in life is to guard them, defend them, and build them up. Will you give in to temptation and forego the mission you were assigned to? Have you not understood your position? Have your own needs and wants masqueraded as your leader? Turn them down! You were called to defend your bride and your family at all costs. If you are fortunate, you will be happy in this mission, but if not, and you suffer, this mission has not changed. Your calling has not changed. You are to defend those that can not defend themselves. You are to deny yourselves the pleasures of life you feel you are entitled to. Pull up your pants, put on your boots and do what you know you are supposed to do. It is not your place in life, men, to give into temptation. You are called by God, your Father, to be honorable, strong, and to defend those that require your strength. To give in to temptation is failure. Men, we can not fail! People are depending on us. Our families are depending on us! Our wives. Our children. You are required to give up your comfort, your pleasure, your own life, to secure the safety of your family. That is your calling. That is your assignment. This life is not about you!!!
Be a man! Be strong! There is no temptation that you will face that you can not overcome. Do not be distracted. Fight the good fight. I’m sorry to say this, men, but you do not live for your own pleasures or gratifications. We were designed to defend those that require it. Push the distractions aside and don’t give up. It is time to be a man! Defend your family and make your Father proud. Defend your wife. Defend your children.
When you feel weak, call upon your Father, your commander in chief, and ask that reinforcements be sent in. But! Never give up and never give in!
If you have failed, ask for strength and buck up and be the man you are supposed to be. Say to yourself and to your God, “No more excuses! I will do what I was called to do!”
Lord, please give each man who reads this the strength to be the man you have called them to be: to defend their wives and their families. To accept the calling you have put on our lives, as men. Thank you, Father.
Men, never give up! Never give in! Be what you were called to be!
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