What does it mean to be a man of God? We cannot look to ourselves or the world, we must look to the Lord. Godly men must be proactive to pursue qualities that reflect our Creator and imitate Christ, so we can be all God has called us to be for our wives, children, church, and the world. At the 2025 men’s retreat we unpacked the following qualities and characteristics of godly men (you can listen to the teachings here.)
1- Work & Keep
Men of God follow the directives and patterns of Adam to work and keep the garden. In the call to work, we see a godly man’s call to nurture, cultivate, and build up in his physical work and his relational work. In the call to keep, we see a godly man’s call to guard, watch over, care, and maintain his responsibilities and calling in family, church, and work. Men of God work and keep the garden God has entrusted to them.
“The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” | Genesis 2:15
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” | Colossians 3:23-24
2- Strength & Courage
Men of God are strong and courageous in the face of difficulty. When they face an obstacle, they are resilient, controlled, and firm. Christ-like men show fortitude and perseverance in the face of hardship. Godly men are neither weak, timid, angry, or aggressive. Men of God attack a challenge with strength and courage.
“Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” | Joshua 1:6-7
“Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” | 1 Timothy 4:7-8
3- Responsibility & Initiative
Men of God are responsible and reliable – you can count on them to carry the weight. When they have a job or a role, they are invested in it and diligent to complete it. Christ-like men take initiative. Godly men are not passive or unreliable, nor are they reckless and rash. Men of God seek to lead others and expand God’s Kingdom.
“For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” | 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
“Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness… Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” | Titus 2:2, 6-8
4- Sacrifice & Love
Men of God are selfless, compassionate, and giving to those in need. They love and sacrifice themselves for those who are vulnerable. Godly men are not selfish and greedy, nor are they harsh or domineering. Men of God serve and defend those in their care.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” | 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” | Ephesians 5:25-28
Men of God, pursue these qualities. Seek the Lord for his grace to lead, serve, and love as God has created you to do.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” | 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
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