2. Bad news

3. The shadow within a knight can destroy not only the knight himself, but any relationship he pursues. The shadow can be described in the following ways:
The shadow (or sin nature) is a self-corrupting force within the man’s core which seeks to disrupt his sense of values, decrease the possibilities for his success, and limit the development of his potential.

4. The shadow’s goal is first to hide, then to fool, and finally to destroy.
Hiding – Makes it harder to recognize
Fooling – Keeps the price of our bad choices from us
Destroying – Erodes any progress a male makes toward manhood

5. Haman
Esther 7

6. The shadow is the part of a man’s core which is bent on pursuing negative behaviors.
The shadow attempts to limit the following knightly desires from being put into action. The shadow provides a “Yes, but…” response to each of the knight’s good intentions.
“I want to control my sexuality.”
“I want to love my children better than I was loved.”

7. The shadow attempts to limit the following knightly desires from being put into action. The shadow provides a “Yes, but…” response to each of the knight’s good intentions.
“I want to follow God’s call to help those who are in need.”
“I will learn to live a life of peace and contentment.”
“I want to be a good friend and a good listener.”

8. The shadow attempts to limit the following knightly desires from being put into action. The shadow provides a “Yes, but…” response to each of the knight’s good intentions.
“I will limit my alcohol and food intake.”
“I will express my anger appropriately.”
“I will limit my self-focus and learn to give.”
“I will speak honestly, despite feeling pressured to lie.”
“I want to show my wife that she has value.”

9. The shadow attempts to limit the following knightly desires from being put into action. The shadow provides a “Yes, but…” response to each of the knight’s good intentions.
“I need to exercise and take care of my body.”
“I want to share some of my financial resources.”
“I will be a model of God’s love at work.”
“I will grieve my past losses and let go of their negative effects on my life.”

10. The shadow attempts to limit the following knightly desires from being put into action. The shadow provides a “Yes, but…” response to each of the knight’s good intentions.
“I will spend extra time doing what my child wants.”
“I will spend more time in prayer and develop my faith system.”
“I will treat others with respect and without prejudice.”
“I will eat healthier food.”

11. The shadow attempts to limit the following knightly desires from being put into action. The shadow provides a “Yes, but…” response to each of the knight’s good intentions.
“I will use the computer appropriately and avoid unknightly websites.”
“I will forgive those who have hurt me.”
“I will not compromise my principles.”
“I will approach all of my life circumstances with a positive attitude.”

12. The shadow attempts to limit the following knightly desires from being put into action. The shadow provides a “Yes, but…” response to each of the knight’s good intentions.
“I will wisely regulate the time I spend watching television.”
“I will live on a budget, in order to limit my financial stress.”
“I will help my parents feel valued and cared for.”
“I will take my wife to a movie that she wants to see.”

13. Review the list and place a checkmark ()next to the three knightly desires in which you are most likely to be defeated by your shadow.

14. The shadow can undermine a well-formed identity and cause confusion.
The shadow wants to make a marriage relationship feel less fulfilling over time.
The shadow’s goal is for a man to respond passively, give up his sense of responsibility, and abandon his leadership influence.
The shadow desires to disrupt a man from developing his Godly design.

15. “None of us is as smart as all of us”
-Ken Blanchard

16. The shadow joins with the shadows of others to magnify its destructive power.
The shadow’s ultimate goal is to replace God as the chief motivator in a man’s life.