When it comes to being missional, men should lead the way. Godly men should set the example of what it means to live a missional life. There are many examples of men in scripture that lived a missional life. One of those men is Daniel. Missional men are men of wisdom. Daniel was a man of wisdom. There are three things we see in Daniel chapter one concerning the wisdom of Daniel and how it applies to living a missional life.

                Daniel’s wisdom came for God. Daniel 1:17 says, “As for these four men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” Daniel was among several men taken captive by Babylon. These men were handpicked to serve the king because of their great skills and wisdom. Four of these men were especially skilled. Verse seventeen mentions that it was God that gave them “knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom”. Missional men have a wisdom that comes from God. They recognize the fact that all of their abilities and all of their wisdom comes from above. They understand what James said in James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” There is no ability or wisdom that does not originate with God. He gives us the skills and abilities and the knowledge and the wisdom for whatever task or purpose He calls us to. When we lack wisdom, we can always pray and ask God for more wisdom. As James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” God does not hold back giving us wisdom when we need it and when we ask for it. It is important to note that the wisdom that God gives comes from His Word. The Bible is our most trusted source for wisdom. A missional man is one that recognizes that his wisdom and all his ability comes from God and is a student of the Word of God which is the source of wisdom.

                Daniel increased what God gave him. Verses 20 of Daniel 1, we read, “And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”  Daniel and his friends took what God gave them and increased it. They used the knowledge and wisdom that God gave them and used it to gain more knowledge and wisdom. They took the abilities that God gifted them with and applied themselves to develop and increase those abilities. God gives us all certain gifts and abilities to carry out His purpose for our lives. However, those gifts and abilities must be developed and strengthened. We must do our part by continuing in education and skill development so that we can be the best that God intends for us to be. Missional men understand this concept and will continually look for ways to increase in wisdom. Missional men are engaged in ongoing Bible study and educational opportunities to hone their skills and their effectiveness for the Kingdom of God.

                Daniel was determined to do what is right. In verse 8 of Daniel 1 we learn that, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not be defiled.” The king wanted Daniel and his friends to partake of a diet that was opposed to God’s dietary laws given to the Jewish people. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not break God’s laws. He chose not to defile himself with something that was contrary to the laws of God. Missional men are men who are determined not to be defiled by the things of this world. They choose to do what is right and to live in purity no matter what. We live in a culture today that is very difficult for men. There are so many temptations and so many attacks on Biblical manhood that men are often lost and confused. Real missional men are those who are able by the grace of God to not cave to the lure of the world. Missional men stand their ground, and they fight everyday to keep themselves pure and undefiled from the world. Missional men must put on the whole armor of God and be determined to do what is right and not be defiled by the world.

                Missional men are like Daniel. They understand their wisdom comes from God. They increase and develop what God gives them. They are determined to do what is right and not be defiled by the world. Are you a missional man?