When Being a Man of God Doesn’t Mean Having It All Together

Social media can make it seem like everyone has it all together, because we post our highlights and almost never our losses. I want to be vulnerable in this one, because this year has been a transformative year for me spiritually, and a lot of it came from realizing how much I don’t have figured out.

Who I Say I Am Online

I’m known as a Christian guy, and somewhere along the way I came to believe that I had to be perfect, but the truth is that I still sin and fall short every day, and only Jesus is perfect. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23) It took a pastor walking through life with me to show me that I don’t have it all figured out and that it’s okay, and honestly, a weight was lifted when I accepted that. I still strive to be more like Christ, but I’m learning that striving doesn’t mean I’ll ever arrive on my own, and that’s where grace comes in.

Discovering What Was on the Throne

This year I also found out that I had been putting marriage on the throne of my heart, and I realized I needed to be discipled so I could start taking action on the sins I couldn’t see that I had been agreeing to. That’s a humbling thing to admit, but I’m learning that you can’t fix what you won’t look at, and you often need someone else to help you see it. “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

The Battle Nobody Sees

When I tell people that I’m saving myself for marriage, that I’m a virgin, and that I haven’t looked at porn, some applaud, and some think it’s weird or assume something must be wrong with me. But to be honest, it has been a constant fight, a war I’m waging and giving over to God every day, and I won’t lie to you and say the desire isn’t there. I am saving myself for my wife, and I know the enemy will keep trying to tempt me, but I also know that God is the one who fights these battles for me. “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:14)

Coming to the End of Myself

After 27 years, I feel like I’ve come to the end of myself. There are waves of temptation and waves of loneliness, and I could try to take control, but in those moments I go to God, and I call my pastor, my mentor, or a prayer warrior and ask them to go to war for me, and it has made a real difference. I’m not supposed to carry this alone, and neither are you. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

When You’re Tired of Fighting

I’ll be honest, there are days when I’m tired of fighting, and I just want to give up, but that’s exactly where God meets me, because He is the one who gives me strength, and when my flesh is weak, He is strong. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26) And “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Being a man of God was never about having it all together, it’s about knowing exactly who holds me together.

Reflection Questions

• Where have you been performing perfection instead of being honest about where you struggle?

• Who in your life could you call in the middle of a hard moment, and what’s stopping you from reaching out to them?

• Is there anything you’ve been putting on the throne of your heart that was only ever meant for God?

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/urbazon

Joe Navarro, known online as @joechristianguy, is a Christian content creator, entrepreneur, and cultural voice passionate about making faith approachable and impactful for the next generation. With over 4.5 million combined followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Joe delivers bold, Gospel-centered truth through a mix of daily encouragement, short-form teachings, comedic skits, and authentic life experiences. His unique blend of theology, humor, and clarity has created space for millions of young believers and skeptics alike to engage with Scripture and real conversations about following Jesus in a digital world. In 2023, he co-created the popular card game Discernment alongside Jacob and Julia Petersen, which is now available in major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Museum of the Bible, and Mardel. He also holds a degree in Agricultural Economics with a minor in Sales from Texas A&M.