A question I am often asked by other men is, “What does it mean to be a godly man?”  Is it just about reading and knowing the Bible?  Is it just about character?  Is it just about being able to provide godly counsel?  Here is a quick outline:

1. Fully convinced God exists.  You are convinced the God of Scripture created humanity in His own image (Genesis 1.) A part of being made in His image is that we reflect His glory, therefore, a person couldn’t possibly become a godly man without being fully convinced in God.
2. Sin is destructive.  In Genesis 3 we see sin enter into the story of humanity so that everything and everyone we see today is fractured in sin.  Do you believe this?  Are you convinced of this truth at the global and personal level?  You must!
3. Complete hope in life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus is God in the flesh.  Jesus has come to take our sin at the cross.  Jesus has come to conquer death through the resurrection.  Are you captivated by this truth?  Are you in awe of this truth? (1 Corinthians 15)
4. Love for God’s Word.  Do you love the Bible?  Do you love reading the Bible?  Do you love talking about the Bible?  How could we become godly men if we don’t love God’s Word?  (2 Timothy 2)
5. Obeying God’s Word through faith in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.  This is key!  God’s Word isn’t about following rules.  Godliness isn’t trying really hard to look like God.  Godliness is walking by faith in Christ every day until we are face to face with Jesus. (Romans 1)
6. Convinced of stewardship.  None of this world is ours.  It all belongs to God, therefore, in Christ, we are all managers or stewards of resources, talents, and gifts from the Lord.  The sooner a man sees himself as a steward instead of an owner, the sooner he will grow in godliness. (1 Peter 4)
7. Taking responsibility.  We are going to fail as men.  Failure is going to happen spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally; therefore, when those moments come into our life we would do well to stop making excuses and embrace responsibility.  (Proverbs 28:13)
8. Repentance.  Repentance means to acknowledge our sin and turn from our sin as we trust in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.  God’s Word teaches us it is the kindness of the Lord that leads to repentance.  Repenting of sin daily is a mark of a godly man.  (1 John 1:9)
9. Teachability.  Are you able to learn from others?  Are you so convinced of your wisdom that it is hard to consider others might have something better?  Are you curious about life?  Are you curious about others?  Is there humility about you so that you are convinced that God’s glory shapes how you see yourself in Him? (1 Peter 5:5)
10. Servant-Leadership.  Do you enjoy putting others before yourself?  Do you enjoy dying to your flesh?  Do you enjoy perseverance?  These are all marks of godliness.  Waiting to be asked.  Waiting for the applause of men.  Waiting for someone else to take responsibility.  These are marks of spiritual immaturity.  (Matthew 20:26)
11. Live Courageously.  Take risks by faith in Jesus.  Put yourself in a place that is spiritually uncomfortable.  If the Lord brings an opportunity, take it!  Open the Bible.  Pray out loud.  Volunteer to help.  Give money away.  Initiate that conversation with that person that you have been thinking about.  Godly men walk by faith in the Lord instead of themselves.  (Joshua 1:9)
12. Biblical view towards money.  Money isn’t evil.  Money is a gift to be used for His glory, therefore, learn to steward money.  Learn to give money away.  Learn to bless others.  Learn to make as much money as you can but know that a large salary is going to take their pound of flesh.  Rarely will a man get a large salary and freedom.  
13. Friends with other men.  Lone rangers are going to have a hard time building godly lives and godly character.  There’s no way any one man could see all his blind-spots.  He needs other men to help him grow.  He needs friends that will have honest conversations with him.  (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
14. Perseverance.  Life is hard.  Following Jesus is hard.  Living faithfully is hard.  You’re going to want to quit.  You’re going to want to give up.  Godly men stay faithful.  Godly men keep trusting the Lord.  (James 1:12)

The fact you have taken the time to read this article is a sign of the Holy Spirit at work in your life.  Praise God!  You want to grow and mature in Christ.  Praise God!  God’s Word calls us to be rooted and established in our faith in Jesus.  Start today!  

A godly man can change the direction of friendship, change the direction of his family, change the direction of generations to come, therefore, don’t wait but seek the Lord.  Start growing in Him today!