By Leo Hellyer
Living as a Christian man in 2025 is a very daunting endeavor. There are many things competing for our attention. Men are getting pulled in many directions at once. As Christian men, we need to keep our focus on God, and His will and direction for our lives. We can’t allow ourselves to be distracted by the counterfeits that surround us.
Men of integrity are an endangered species! For our nation to return to be known as a God-fearing, Christian nation, we need vocal, loving, Bible-believing, uncompromising, open dialogue seeking men of integrity. In my 73+ years on planet Earth, I have known, or known of, some very notable men of integrity. A few of these men are my father, Mack Hellyer, Walter Cronkite, President Kennedy, President Reagan, Billy Graham, Dennis Rainey, Skip Hall, Bruce Young, Bill Roscoe, etc. These are all men with a strong backbone, a life of integrity, and a big, loving heart.
In most cases with men of integrity, we do not realize the magnitude of their integrity until after they are gone from our presence.
Men of integrity are defined in many places in the Bible. I want to share two of those places.
Proverbs 4:25-27 – Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet, and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Just recently, we lost a great man of integrity, taken from us way too soon. This was a man filled to the brim with integrity, dedication, love for his nation, love for his family and friends, love for others – even those who disagreed with him – love for his enemies, and most importantly, and foundational to the rest, a pure love for his Creator, God Almighty. Charlie Kirk had a big impact on many people while he was alive, but he has impacted multitudes more, around the world, with the testimony of who he was, and whose he was, before he was taken. Charlie’s legacy of integrity is still very much alive.
I would like to challenge the men who read this, around the world, to step into the void left by the passing of Charlie Kirk. Let’s step up and multiply his witness, starting wherever we are at, geographically and spiritually. We need to step out in faith, be present, be vocal, be steadfast in our faith, be willing to discuss polarizing issues with those who have differing opinions from us. We need to advance in God’s strength, not our own.
We need to continually be prayed up. We need to take care of our individual spiritual walk and strength, daily. We cannot think about filling others with God’s love and strength if we do not have tanks overflowing ourselves. All of us need to have the full armor of God on before we go into battle – and yes, it is a battle.
If you are interested in being a bright light in a world of darkness, if you are ready to go to battle in the spiritual realm with God’s strength and not your own, then I have a couple of books that I highly suggest you make a part of your Real Man’s Toolbox.
The first book is “The Power of Integrity: Building a Life Without Compromise” by John MacArthur. The second book is “Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality” by Henry Cloud.
To become men of integrity, or to continue being men of integrity, we need to be well disciplined, well focused, dedicated, courageous, wise, tolerant of others, loving, willing to serve, listen first and speak last, with words from the Father.
We are all flawed, sinful, human beings. What God did with Billy Graham, Dennis Rainey, and Charlie Kirk, He can do with each of us. We need to confess our shortcomings, seek forgiveness from God Almighty, and then step out in faith, in God’s strength and wisdom, and see what God has in store for us. We need to be ready for God to provide us with divine appointments. We need to be eager and willing to step out of our comfort zones and follow God wherever He leads us.
God has different battle plans for each of us according to the gifts and strengths that He gives us. God has a specific mission for each one of us to complete. If we will boldly step out in faith and go into the battle God has prepared for us, He will reward our efforts. God is searching for men of integrity. God is searching for men to carry the torch. God is searching for heroes of the faith who, in obedience to Him, will bring empowerment, clarity, truth, and love to a lost and depraved land. It is time for the Church to unite, with integrity and love, and minister to those people God brings across our path. We need to be the conduits, the vessels, the means by which God touches lives directly, with his wonderfully unconditional, perfect, cleansing love.
Dear God, clearly show each one of us what it is that You want us to accomplish for Your kingdom!
Leo Hellyer is a non-staff pastor with a local church and has been married to his wife Norma for 50 years. The couple volunteered with the Boise FamilyLife Ministry Team for 20 years. Leo has also been serving with Boise Rescue Mission Ministries for more than 20 years and is currently serving at the River of Life Rescue Mission. He is president and chief firearms instructor with Helping Hands Firearms Training LLC. If you have questions about Real Man’s Toolbox, or need other assistance, he may be reached at silverplate426@msn.com or (208) 340-5544.
