This blog is reader-supported, for the most part. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. I only endorse things that I use personally or come highly recommended by someone I implicitly trust.
This week I’ll be dissecting The Code that Jocko lays out in the book that he wrote with Dave Berke and Sarah Armstrong, ‘The Code. The Evaluation. The Protocols.’
In it, he says, “How can you best strive to become an Eminently Qualified Human? How will you hold yourself to the highest possible standard in life? How do you become a better father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, public servant, role model, and leader? The answer: through Unmitigated Daily Discipline in all things.”
As I’ve said in a previous article, I will be matching these up with Bible Scripture so we can see how this stacks up in our spiritual lives. The Code is quoted below with corresponding
The Code
- I will take care of my physical health by exercising, eating properly, and getting the rest I need to recover and rebuild. I will take care of my physical surroundings, keeping them in order.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV: What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- 1 Timothy 4:8 NIV: For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
- ECC.5:12 KJV: The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
- 1 Corinthians 14:40 KJV: Let all things be done decently and in order.
- I will develop myself mentally by reading, writing, drawing, building, creating, and engaging in other activities that sharpen and expand my mind.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
- 2 Peter 1:5-6 KJV: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
- I will not waste time. Time is precious.
- Ephesians 5:16 KJV: Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- John 12:35 KJV: Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
- Psalm 119:59-60 KJV: I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep Thy commandments.
- I will not waste money and I will make prudent financial decisions. Money is hard to earn.
- Luke 16:11 KJV: If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [worldly wealth], who will commit to your trust the true rich
- Matthew 25:14-30: Parable of the Servants and the Talents
- I will set goals that I will strive toward.
- Psalm 90:12 KJV: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
- Philippians 3:13-14 KJV: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
- I will excel in my job because work is integral to life.
- Proverbs 21:25 KJV: The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
- I will be humble and not allow my ego to negatively impact my decisions.
- Proverbs 29:23 KJV: A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
- Proverbs 18:12 KJV: Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
- I will control my emotions and not allow my emotions to negatively impact my decisions.
- Proverbs 29:11 KJV: A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
- Proverbs 16:32 KJV: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
- Proverbs 25:28 KJV: He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
- I will put others before myself. I will help other people and protect those that cannot protect themselves. I will take care of my friends and family and treat other people with respect.
- Matthew 7:12 KJV: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
- Philippians 2:3-4 KJV: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
- Romans 15:1 KJV: We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- I will be ready to protect my friends and family. My gear will be ready. I will train and prepare to defend myself and others.
- Luke 22:38 KJV: And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
- Psalms 18:34-35 KJV: He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
- Psalms 144:1 KJV: Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
- Matthew 24:42-44: So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
- Ephesians 6:12 KJV: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
There are many other verses under each of the categories, but these are only a few. The most controversial one is the last point, and one that I vacillate between. I am prepared and ready, I have a grab-and-go bag, first aid kid, etc. But the majority of life here is not against flesh and blood… and also there are no jiujitsu gyms here in this city. So I get my exercise in other forms, for now.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this as much as I have. I’ll see you in the next installment of Jocko and the Bible.