A Strong Man

As men, from the early days of boyhood we have been fascinated, some even obsessed, with a singular achievement: strength. We will work all of our lives be strong. Whether it’s mentally, intellectually, physically, on the court or on the job, we want to be the best. The truth of the matter is, we can’t help it. It’s in our DNA. It’s the way God fashioned us. It’s why we like to wrestle and why we played games like “King of the Mountain”, “Cowboys and Indians” and “Cops & Robbers.” All of these are geared toward showing off our strengths, agility and ultimately our prowess.  It helps us measure and prove ourselves as men.

So the question is, do these traits of manhood translate to the spiritual man? Or better yet, should they?

I believe the answer is a resounding yes! Luke 11:21 says, "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:” Verse 22 says “But when a stronger man than he attacks and defeats him, the stronger man strips off that man's armor in which he trusted and then divides his plunder. So as men, we naturally are aware that we need to be as strong as possible, on guard at all times, so that one stronger does not defeat us. God in all of His wisdom made us perfect and in His own image. He designed us to strive to be the best, to naturally assume the role of Protector, Defender, Provider, and Hunter….ultimately a Leader. It’s why some of our favorite bible stories are of David, Sampson and even Goliath.

Up to this point, it all sounds good doesn't it? “Strong, mighty, protector and defender.”  It has a certain ring that appeals to us men. However, there is a stark reality that we all know and face. None of us are truly, completely and perfectly strong. Just like David, Sampson and Goliath we all have weaknesses. Areas in our lives we know we need to strengthen or work on. Inwardly, this knowledge constantly frustrates and hinders us in our walk with God. Outwardly, we just deny it or refuse to acknowledge it. We pretend we are strong and work hard to maintain the façade that all is okay simply because we don’t know how to handle our weakness.

We’ve been taught, straight out of the Handbook for Men, that you never show or admit weakness…right? WRONG! Paul said “for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. Knowing and acknowledging where we need help is the first step towards a perfect strength. A physically strong man is a person who knows where he is weak and compensates for that weakness.

The best athletes in the world constantly work on and adjust their game, their approach. They’re not content or fooled by their own abilities. You’ll see it in the football player taping a bad ankle, a basketball player staying after practice to shoot free throws or a boxer working on his footwork in preparation for an opponent with a longer reach. Strong men do this every day. It’s what makes them champions.

A spiritually strong man does no less! He never ceases to work and challenge himself in the areas that he struggles in. He tells someone of his weakness and is accountable in those areas. He is wise enough to know that he needs help and humble enough to ask for it. He knows that if he falls, “the stronger man will strip off his armor”. The cost of losing is too great, too tragic for him to let pride get in the way or to worry about what someone may think. He understands the words of Proverbs 24:6 “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.” Another interpretation says this - For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.

 A very wise man once told me “true accountability strips the enemy of all his power.” This does not line up to our manly vision of victory that would show us standing on the battlefield, the enemy at our feet, with our sword raised for all the world to see. The reality is this only applies to books or daydreams. True victory over sin, over weakness, over darkness, is won together.

I’ll leave you with a favorite passage of mine, Hebrews 11:32-3:

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

These all were strong men, faithful men, whose weakness was turned to strength. My favorite part: "they became powerful IN the battle."  Not before the battle, not as a result of the battle but during the battle God gave them power. Keep fighting!

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PJ Dial is a husband, father and servant of Christ. He grew up in Royalwood and is involved in several aspects of ministry including Praise & Worship, Anthem Student Ministries and currently serves on Royalwood's Board.