Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. —Philippians 1:27 NKJV

As my friend and I made our way across the Veteran’s Cemetery parking lot, a military Body Bearer Section was ceremoniously moving in our direction. It seemed like they didn’t walk but glided. I was deeply touched by what I saw. (Body Bearers are a group of highly trained Marines who perform funerals and other ceremonial duties.)

I watched as they rounded the corner and entered the main building. Through the tall glass windows, I could see them march across the foyer, down the hall, make a turn, and then disappear into a nearby room. They never once broke their military bearing or ceremonial precision, even though seemingly unobserved. I know this was not their first service of the day, nor was it to be their last. Yet they treated this body as if it were their first and only one. I knew that was exactly how the next veteran would be treated, and the next, and the next.

Having had family who served in the Navy and now a granddaughter actively serving in the Army, I am somewhat familiar with the term “military bearing.”

Military bearing is a standard of carrying oneself, on and off duty, in a way that reflects honorably on the military. It conveys pride, professionalism, integrity, confidence, competency, strength, and unity. Military bearing is conducting oneself with honesty and integrity, even when no one is watching and regardless of the circumstances.

“Bearing” can also describe a believer’s conduct. We are engaged in a lifelong spiritual battle that requires us to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the One we serve. How we do so conveys to others who our God is—or who He is not when our conduct is less than honorable.

What does that believer’s bearing look like? It shows in the way we love: how we love our God, how we love our fellow believers, and how we love others. Jesus said that the world would know we belong to Him by our love for one another. It shows in the way we conduct ourselves publicly and privately. We conduct ourselves with honor and integrity in every area of our lives. We are honest in the trivial things as well as in the things that matter. Our bearing shows that the gospel has the power to permanently change a person’s life and heart—and eternal destiny. It accurately reflects the fact that our God is worthy of our faithful service.

Those who have been in the military for any length of time carry themselves in a certain way. They never really lose their military stance, even in their later years. You can often tell from a distance, without a word spoken, that someone was in the service, especially if they were a Marine. There is just something about the way they carry themselves that is unmistakable.

Is the same said of us as believers? Are we known by our deeds? We will not lie, steal, cheat, defame, degrade, demean, or mistreat others. In our love for Christ, we will steadily grow and increasingly exhibit the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

In real life, not everyone in the military conducts themselves honorably or above reproach. Nobody ever does so one hundred percent of the time. That can also be said of us as believers. We do not always conduct ourselves in a way that reflects well on the One we serve, but we should strive for that goal!

Having a “believer’s bearing” takes practice and hard work. It requires discipline and constant attention. Soldiers have only their inner character to motivate them to succeed and be all they can be. As believers, the Spirit of the Living God dwells within us. He is continually conforming us to His image. He is molding and shaping us, refining us, and disciplining us to maintain and carry our believer’s bearing well.

Does the world know that we are believers? Do they see us as living what we proclaim? Can they look at us and, just by our stance, say: “Now, there’s a Christian!”?

Father, I yield myself to You to mold and shape me into a believer who more accurately reflects You. Help me to have a strong believer’s bearing for Your Name and for Your Honor. I love You, Lord!

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for the good things in the sight of all men. —Romans 12:9-17 NKJ

In Him,
Donna Perkins

Sweet Selah Ministries 

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Share it. Pin it.