Many people want to or claim to stand for God. That means they want to represent God and to challenge those who malign him, or those who spread misconceptions about him. 

While it can be noble to act in the world on God’s behalf, we need to honestly and humbly consider whether we are actually acting on God’s behalf or we may be acting on our egos behalf. 

Unfortunately, the history of the world shows that many revolutions, even religiously inspired revolutions, were initially driven by noble ideas. But as those revolutions gained a destructive momentum, they often acted against the ideals that they were supposed to champion. And they became counter-revolutions that led to as much, if not more, evil than the evil that they were supposed to counter. 

That’s why we need a steady inner connection with him, established through a regular regimen of spiritual practices, such as meditation and scripture study and association with those devoted to God. Then that connection will ensure that we get God’s guidance while we are working through the world’s many challenges. 

In the Bhagavad-gita (11.33), Krishna urges Arjuna to become an instrument in his hands. Simultaneously, the Gita guides Arjuna to lead a life of virtue and devotion and even before this particular action. Arjuna submissively hears from Krishna and internalizes the wisdom of the Gita and thus is able to instrumentalize himself in Krishna’s service.

Following his example, we need to learn to first stand under God in humility and prayer and a spirit of service. Then when we confront the world and stand for God, challenging various cultural tropes and social stereotypes and intellectual misconceptions, we will actually act as instruments not just on God’s wisdom, but also God’s compassion and love, and thereby do tangible good to the world. 

One-sentence summary:

To best stand for God, first stand under God.

Think it over:

  • What often goes wrong when people revolt for a noble cause?
  • How can we stand under God?
  • How can standing under God help us stand for God?

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11.33: Therefore get up. Prepare to fight and win glory. Conquer your enemies and enjoy a flourishing kingdom. They are already put to death by My arrangement, and you, O Savyasaci, can be but an instrument in the fight.

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