What Does It Look Like to Be a Man of God?
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When God made the world He created humanity, and first created a man He named Adam. Then He made a woman that Adam named Eve. God intended for men and women to be different, and to play different roles in the world. After the fall, men and women both became capable of sin, and both had to strive to be more righteous, as God intended before sin entered the world.
A man who pursues that righteousness, and strives to live for the Lord, is sometimes called a man of God. It can be difficult to define what that kind of man looks like, but the Bible provides insights into how a man can conform to the image of God, and help others identify them. Some of the traits of a man of God include faith, a consistent relationship with God, patience, and temperance, among other things.
What Is a "Man of God"?
A man of God is not one stereotype of a man. It is not a scholar who has memorized all the Scriptures. It is not a man who can lift very heavy objects and fight back any enemy at the gate. Instead, it is a display of character the Bible highlights, while attempting to avoid temptation and sin.
A man of God values the things of Heaven over the things of the flesh. He may not be perfect until he is with the Lord, but he makes his relationship with the Savior the first priority in his life. He loves justice, wisdom, and discretion. He is also not a hypocrite like the Pharisees who, “clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:27b). He does not just exhibit good behavior, but pursues a clean conscience, pursuing a real relationship with Jesus Christ.
In many ways, a man of God is someone who strives to live by the following verses from Proverbs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).
Bible Verses about Being a Man of God
There are many verses that outline the character traits that God wants both men and women – as well as just men – to possess or strive to exhibit. These verses include:
1 Timothy 6:11 “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Proverbs 5:1-2 “My son, be attentive to my wisdom, incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.”
Psalm 2:2-4 “‘I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’”
Ephesians 5:25-28 “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.”
Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Who Were Some Men of God in the Bible?
It becomes clear through a study of the Bible that an important part of what it means to be a man of God is pursuing righteousness, being familiar with God’s Word, being kind to others, knowing when and how to exert one’s strength, and being willing to sacrifice the same way the Lord Jesus did. There are many examples of godly men in the Scriptures.
Men identified as men of God include:
King David: Literally called a man after God’s own heart. He trusted the Lord as a shepherd, as a man fleeing a king’s wrath, and as a king himself. He was not perfect, and succumbed to lust with Bathsheba, but repented. He loved God, and wrote many Psalms about that relationship.
Nathan: A prophet during the days of King David’s reign, God asked Nathan to confront the king about his sin. Taking the steps to publicly declare that David committed adultery and then ordered the death of the woman’s husband required courage, faith, and obedience to God’s commands.
Abraham: The father of the Jewish nation, his faith in God was so great he was willing to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son, believing that God could bring Isaac back from the dead. He followed God from his homeland to another. There were points in his life where his faith lapsed and he acted out of fear, but he always tried to put his relationship with God above all else. He also advocated for his relatives with God, and asked God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of a few righteous, willing to see mercy extended.
Nehemiah: A Hebrew who had authority in Babylon, he trusted God to leave the comfort of his post and go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. He defended the borders of his city while maintaining a godly character that served to testify to God’s glory to the people around him. He demonstrated wisdom, tactical skills, and wisdom.
Boaz: Certain men played roles in God’s plan that foreshadowed the role Christ would play for all of humanity. Boaz served as a kinsman redeemer for Ruth, redeeming her and her deceased husband’s family from poverty. Despite having a Gentile mother, he was known as a godly man who loved the Lord. He was kind to people who were of lesser status than him in society, loved one woman, and displayed great generosity.
Jesus: Called the Last Adam, Jesus lived the life intended for Adam, but without sin. The Lord came in the body of a man, clothing His divine nature in flesh. He obeyed his earthly parents, worked hard as a carpenter, learned the Scriptures, and perfectly submitted to the will of the Father. In many ways, He is a model for manhood. He displayed perfect righteousness, something every man should strive for, even if they fail.
How Can I Grow into More of a Man of God?
Becoming more of a man of God involves becoming Christ-like in character. It is not something that can happen by force of will, but by the influence of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is the first step to growing into the person God intended. Studying the Gospels and modelling Christ is also important. Learning from the men of God in the Bible, from their successes and failures, is also a part of that journey. Another way men grow in their character and their faith is through being discipled and discipling one another.
Studying verses about good character and asking God to help grow those is another way. The fruits of the Spirit are foundational to building a character like the Lord has; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). Ultimately, it will require a daily walk with the Lord and getting to know Him personally to experience the lifetime journey toward becoming a Man of God.
A Prayer to Pursue God with Your Whole Life
For men:
Holy Father,
Thank you for the life you have given me. As the Bible says, “you formed me in my mother’s womb,” making me the man I am today. Thank you for loving me enough to die for me on the cross, and that I will share in Your resurrection. I pray that you will take my life and use it for Your glory, for the expansion of Your Kingdom, and as the man You created me to be. Lord, take my life and guide it. Help me to pursue You sincerely and fully. You gave me life and salvation, so help me use that life to make a difference for eternity. Whether that is as a husband or a single man, as a father or a mentor, however You want to use me, I pray that my life will glorify Your name.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
For women, for the men in their lives:
Holy Father,
Thank you for creating me and loving me. I know that You know the very hairs on my head, and that Your plan for me is perfect. Lord, thank you for the men in my life. You made each of them uniquely, and You have a plan for their lives. Lord, show me how I can support them spiritually. Show me how I can pray for them. Help me to have healthy relationships with the men in my life, and to pray for ones who have hurt me. Lord, guide my heart in all things, but help me to stay focused on You first.
In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.
While all have sin and fallen short of God’s glory, through Jesus Christ, all can be saved and have the Holy Spirit indwell them, and help them become the individual God intends. A man of God is a man who pursues the Lord with sincerity, and obeys as best he can in all things.
Sources
Blackaby, Henry and Tom Blackaby. The Man God Uses. Nashville: B&H Publishing, 1999.
Kelly, Robert. The Strong Man of God Back to Basics. Portland: Open Door Communications Ministries, Inc., 2014.
Moody, Dwight L. Daniel, Man of God. Chicago: F.H. Revell, 1884.
Redpath, Alan. The Making of a Man of God Lessons from the Life of David. Grand Rapids: Baker Books House Company, 1962.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Eyup Belen
Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.