(By Jentezen Franklin) Life is busy. You may have heard that the key to managing it all is to prioritize and put first things first. It seems to be sound enough advice, but sometimes even your best attempt at doing so may still leave you wondering, “What is my No. 1 responsibility?”
1 Kings 20:39 says, “As the king passed by, he cried to the king and said, ‘Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and a man turned aside and brought a man to me and said, “Keep this man, and if by any means he goes missing, then your life shall be given for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver.” As your servant was busy here and there, he disappeared.'”
The No. 1 responsibility of every man is to guard “this man.” In this context, the word “guard” means to hedge in with thorns. You are to hedge him in with thorns, put perimeters and boundaries around him, and make sure he does not escape. But who is this captured man and why is it so important that he be guarded?
- The Captured Man: “This man” represents your old nature, a prisoner of the ongoing war between flesh and spirit. You are to guard who you are. You are to guard your heart with all diligence. You are to keep this man, keep him from the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life by hedging him in with healthy boundaries and biblical standards. CONTINUE
