The Godly Man

[Searching4Truth]

I have a question. What does a godly man look like? What are his traits and characteristics? I'd like some biblical wisdom & reference on this. But, I'm more curious as to what a godly man looks like and what sort of impact that they have in today's society. Real life and current examples would be appreciated.

It seems that whenever a "godly man" is mentioned in the singles forums, it has this context of marriage tied to it/him. I'm really curious what these men look like after saying "I do." and how they conduct their lives in their relationship with God, their families and the people around them.

The men who are called to marriage have their place and worries. But what of those who remain single? Where do they fit in the Christianity-ruckus? What do we do for the glory of God? How do we exalt the "Father" in heaven? What is the purpose of our singledom? How do we exemplify a Christ-like attitude and have it mean something meaningful in today's Christian culture?

 

[BananaPie]

1. A godly man genuinely fears the Lord because he genuinely loves the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. A godly man is honorable in exercising integrity towards others, especially towards the sisters. Hence, holy brethren tend to be "safe" men to talk to for wise advise and for protection.

As a side note, my Beloved Akrick is "a letter of Christ... written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God." Yeah, he's one heavenly Mooseburger!

 

[Agricola]

For many women a Godly man is Jesus and if any man falls short of Jesus, they are not interested. I have been frustrated by the ridiculous attitudes of available women looking for a husband. Many have this image and mega long list of traits and attributes they think their husband should have.

One amazing woman who I would not have hesitated in marrying, I knew that God had pushed her in my direction, we started a good relationship, but after a month citing she could not marry someone who was divorced. Another ignored me when I told her I was available after she went on about how there seemed to be no available Christian men and she had no idea where to find one. I think she thought that as I had my daughter with me at church I was married. I could go on.

Trouble is, the person women create in their head is mythical and doesn't exist, well they do exist, it is Jesus. they might as well go unicorn hunting. Maybe this is why I ended up with an atheist in my first marriage she just loved being with me and loved me for who I was.

Maybe this is why I had 3 other women flirting with me over past 5 years, I am yearning for a wife, I want to love someone unconditionally again, I achieved it with my ex wife, but it was lost on her, so I was tempted to say yes, but I promised God I would only marry a Christian this time around.

So, if a woman says she is looking for a Godly man etc tell her that she will have more success hunting unicorns.

 

[Arlene89]

I have a question. What does a godly man look like?

Godly men wear capes. All the time.

 

[secularhermit]

For many women a Godly man is Jesus and if any man falls short of Jesus, they are not interested. I have been frustrated by the ridiculous attitudes of available women looking for a husband. Many have this image and mega long list of traits and attributes they think their husband should have.

One amazing woman who I would not have hesitated in marrying, I knew that God had pushed her in my direction, we started a good relationship, but after a month citing she could not marry someone who was divorced. Another ignored me when I told her I was available after she went on about how there seemed to be no available Christian men and she had no idea where to find one. I think she thought that as I had my daughter with me at church I was married. I could go on.

Trouble is, the person women create in their head is mythical and doesn't exist, well they do exist, it is Jesus. they might as well go unicorn hunting. Maybe this is why I ended up with an atheist in my first marriage she just loved being with me and loved me for who I was.

Maybe this is why I had 3 other women flirting with me over past 5 years, I am yearning for a wife, I want to love someone unconditionally again, I achieved it with my ex wife, but it was lost on her, so I was tempted to say yes, but I promised God I would only marry a Christian this time around.

So, if a woman says she is looking for a Godly man etc tell her that she will have more success hunting unicorns.

wow! I relate with that...

The more I know people, the more I like my pet. Just look at this and tell me if believeable: ""What I absolutely need is: Someone who has never been married Someone who does not drink Someone who does not smoke Someone who does not do drugs Someone who does not have children Someone who lives in (blank) or who can move here Someone who does not have sex outside of marriage Also I don´t believe in living together before marriage Very important to know: I am a virgin and I have no interest in sex... I am likely asexual... A huge plus if God made you that way too. ""

What´s marriage for?

Each person has his/her standard. The important thing is knowing EACH person and every PERSONAL need to know if we can achieve each of THEM (some may change their "standards" quickly.

Gentiles seek the same, there´s no big difference, except that Christian expect no one hurts or cheats on them (but truth and verifiable facts PROVE we -christians- had hurt and cheated on).

I´m happy I have learnt the hard way not to do it, not to think it, same as someone wrote on Psalms 119:71 It was good that I had to suffer in order to learn your laws.

Glorified be His name!

 

[sc81]

guess i'll be another man to say I find christian women expect you to be as holy as Jesus or they aren't interested. It's entirely unfair, I would not dismiss dating a woman who had struggles in her faith and who needed support or reassurance. That same luxury though is apparently not extended to men who have struggles.

This just leads to men eventually looking outside the church while women complaining there are no christian men even though they dismissed them all as being dateable

 

[Agricola]

I wonder if one of the reasons is that it is a good excuse to reject someone as a potential partner instead of saying "you do not conform to the 5% of the worlds most beautiful" its easier to say "I want someone more Godly" rather than "you are too fat, bald, ugly" or whatever. Too many Christians are still stuck with the worlds idea of a partner, Christians should look more at the spirit instead of the outer body.

One sobering thought, dont want this to turn into theological argument, but what if when we die we will keep our earthly spouse as a heavenly spouse. Marry a non-beleiver and you end up with no-one in heaven.

 

[hadaza]

well to be a godly man or woman doesn't have to be related only to marriage but to our christian life in general, the porpuse of being single recently I found haha alike the idea of this world that is to be happy and enjoy freedom and such the reason for us to be single is because we have more time (quality) and resources to seek God.

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs, how he can please the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:32

 

[kenthomas27]

Godly men wear capes. All the time.

this was rich....but try not to stare.

For many women a Godly man is Jesus and if any man falls short of Jesus, they are not interested. I have been frustrated by the ridiculous attitudes of available women looking for a husband. Many have this image and mega long list of traits and attributes they think their husband should have.

One amazing woman who I would not have hesitated in marrying, I knew that God had pushed her in my direction, we started a good relationship, but after a month citing she could not marry someone who was divorced. Another ignored me when I told her I was available after she went on about how there seemed to be no available Christian men and she had no idea where to find one. I think she thought that as I had my daughter with me at church I was married. I could go on.

Trouble is, the person women create in their head is mythical and doesn't exist, well they do exist, it is Jesus. they might as well go unicorn hunting. Maybe this is why I ended up with an atheist in my first marriage she just loved being with me and loved me for who I was.

Maybe this is why I had 3 other women flirting with me over past 5 years, I am yearning for a wife, I want to love someone unconditionally again, I achieved it with my ex wife, but it was lost on her, so I was tempted to say yes, but I promised God I would only marry a Christian this time around.

So, if a woman says she is looking for a Godly man etc tell her that she will have more success hunting unicorns.

Sounds like you need a guy like me to hang with. You know, good cop bad cop type thing. I'll set the bad example and you'll look about as Godly as they come. Let's face it, when my dad taught me that I could be whoever I wanted to be, he meant for identity theft, so i'm here to make you look like a million dollars.

my fees are very reasonable.

 

[Descyple]

If I could make a book recommendation here:

One of my all time favorite books is called (ironically enough) "The Godly Man's Picture" by the 17th century Puritan Thomas Watson.

In this book Watson goes through an important biblical list of the characteristics that should be found in the daily life of a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. Some of those characteristics are to be zealous in serving God, filled with faith, always in prayer, who sorrows over his own sin and the sin around him, and who is greatly concerned about increasing the godliness in the lives of his friends and family.

I highly recommend this book.

"A godly man bears God's name and image; godliness is Godlikeness. It is one thing to profess God, it's another thing to resemble Him."
- Thomas Watson, The Godly Man's Picture, pg 32

"Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."
- 1 Timothy 4:8

 

[HikariNoSeijin]

I highly recommend watching this sermon: David Platt - Singleness and the Next Generation - YouTube

This is the best sermon I have ever watched concerning the gifts of both singleness and marriage. Both can truly represent the Kingdom of God, and we should be joyful in whichever life God has called us to.

 

[cinder]

One thing that I'm starting to consider as I get older is how much of a past would be acceptable in a future spouse. I'm getting to an age where a guy I'm interested in could have had pretty wild teen and college age years, but met the Lord after that and been living a godly life for the past 10 years or so. And he might now be a really godly man despite his distant past sins and mistakes. So I'll encourage my sisters to not let a man's past blind them to who he is now.

So what would I consider a godly man (doing my best to make these pretty universal for godliness but I will admit to having some bias):

• Loves God, loves people
• Calm and respectful to people in general
• Displays fruit of the spirit
• Has integrity and does what is right even when it's costly
• Fights for what he believes in
• Makes decisions and sticks with a decision once he has made it
• Protects women and children when they need it
• He prays
• He manages his resources well (time, money, etc.)
• He is always desiring to grow in holiness and allows people to hold him accountable
• Church and / or community involvement
• Quiet strength (you know you'll be glad to have him around if a crisis hits)

Beyond that, passive men are not attractive. They make a woman feel safe because they aren't threatening, but they don't make her feel safe enough because she doesn't feel protected with a passive man. I think Christian culture has done a lot to encourage men to become or remain passive and that is one reason for the disconnect between christian men and women.

As far as women looking for someone as perfect as Jesus, I doubt even Jesus (if they could have met him when he walked on the earth) would match up to their standards.

 

[FireWire]

guess i'll be another man to say I find christian women expect you to be as holy as Jesus or they aren't interested. It's entirely unfair, I would not dismiss dating a woman who had struggles in her faith and who needed support or reassurance. That same luxury though is apparently not extended to men who have struggles.

This just leads to men eventually looking outside the church while women complaining there are no christian men even though they dismissed them all as being dateable

Would these women be as holy as Jesus and indeed of the same standard as the proverbs 31 women?

I rather suspect not.

It's awesome being single in this day and age and a world gone mad.

 

[FireWire]

well to be a godly man or woman doesn't have to be related only to marriage but to our christian life in general, the porpuse of being single recently I found haha alike the idea of this world that is to be happy and enjoy freedom and such the reason for us to be single is because we have more time (quality) and resources to seek God.

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs, how he can please the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:32

I would rather do this as Christians are called to do rather than try and live up to [modern] women's impossible standards. Trying to do that is like trying to catch wind or water with your hands.

"Seek the Lord while He may be found"

 

[SabbieWabbie]

The godly man comes before the 'I do', marriage doesn't make a man Godly, it makes him married. If he knew how to Love the Lord before marriage then he should know how to love his wife and lead her while putting God first in his life and his marriage.

I envision marrying a Godly man and I have no list. My idea of a Godly man is as Banana Pie said, a man who fears the Lord and loves the Lord more than anyone else, including his wife and if he is single, then obviously above anyone or anything else also.

Corinthians 13:4-13 speaks about what love is.

BUT, a man is still a human, and human's sin so in the context of marriage his wife needs to support him and encourage him and all those lovely things and she needs to realise that just because he is a Godly man, he is not God, so he can't be perfect and he will stumble sometimes but that's why God gave him her, this godly woman. The godly woman though is also human and can also stumble so the man should love her even when she stumbles. As Paul said, it is better to stay single but it's better to marry than burn with passion, much less trouble when you are single and I think it's also easier to wholeheartedly give your all to God.

I have to agree with a lot of the guys comments here, some woman have impossible standards for a human imperfect man to fulfil, but guys have these standards for woman too, especially when it comes to physical and superficial standards. It's a lose-lose. Be open to out of your comfort zone while you guard your heart and let God lead you.

 

[FireWire]

The godly man comes before the 'I do', marriage doesn't make a man Godly, it makes him married. If he knew how to Love the Lord before marriage then he should know how to love his wife and lead her while putting God first in his life and his marriage.

I envision marrying a Godly man and I have no list. My idea of a Godly man is as Banana Pie said, a man who fears the Lord and loves the Lord more than anyone else, including his wife and if he is single, then obviously above anyone or anything else also.

Corinthians 13:4-13 speaks about what love is.

BUT, a man is still a human, and human's sin so in the context of marriage his wife needs to support him and encourage him and all those lovely things and she needs to realise that just because he is a Godly man, he is not God, so he can't be perfect and he will stumble sometimes but that's why God gave him her, this godly woman. The godly woman though is also human and can also stumble so the man should love her even when she stumbles. As Paul said, it is better to stay single but it's better to marry than burn with passion, much less trouble when you are single and I think it's also easier to wholeheartedly give your all to God.

I have to agree with a lot of the guys comments here, some woman have impossible standards for a human imperfect man to fulfil, but guys have these standards for woman too, especially when it comes to physical and superficial standards. It's a lose-lose. Be open to out of your comfort zone while you guard your heart and let God lead you.

Women definitely have this standard as well. I've had it on both ends of the stick. If a man can't get past the looks that a women wants then he is out for the count.

 

[secularhermit]

I wonder if one of the reasons is that it is a good excuse to reject someone as a potential partner instead of saying "you do not conform to the 5% of the worlds most beautiful" its easier to say "I want someone more Godly" rather than "you are too fat, bald, ugly" or whatever. Too many Christians are still stuck with the worlds idea of a partner, Christians should look more at the spirit instead of the outer body.

One sobering thought, dont want this to turn into theological argument, but what if when we die we will keep our earthly spouse as a heavenly spouse. Marry a non-beleiver and you end up with no-one in heaven.

Sadly there are reason (too many, perhaps) as I already know and say in my signature (you cannot lie if you know your likes and your lies).

Those reasons are under a reasonable predicament, realistic ones but, making a definite decision for a partner has too do with personal punching lists, as those each people know.

Rejection, often comes after some sort of "inexplicit form of acceptance". Then, you are right, "its easier to say "I want someone more Godly" "

Remember history! Even Abraham and those OT´s men chose one person they beautifully liked. These were "rich", somehow... What about Jacob´s account?

 

[secularhermit]

She is quite FAIR:

"I have to agree with a lot of the guys comments here, some woman have impossible standards for a human imperfect man to fulfil, but guys have these standards for woman too, especially when it comes to physical and superficial standards. It's a lose-lose. Be open to out of your comfort zone while you guard your heart and let God lead you."

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[sc81]

Beyond that, passive men are not attractive. They make a woman feel safe because they aren't threatening, but they don't make her feel safe enough because she doesn't feel protected with a passive man. I think Christian culture has done a lot to encourage men to become or remain passive and that is one reason for the disconnect between christian men and women.

As far as women looking for someone as perfect as Jesus, I doubt even Jesus (if they could have met him when he walked on the earth) would match up to their standards.

why do you have to feel protected, this isn't the days of cave men.

More men than women leave churches because they don't feel like they belong but no one is doing anything about it. Pushing women into roles of preachers and elders isn't going to get men back in church either except probably hasten even more to leave. This problem will just get worse not better

 

[BananaPie]

One of my all time favorite books is called... "The Godly Man's Picture" by the 17th century Puritan Thomas Watson.

In this book Watson goes through an important biblical list of the characteristics that should be found in the daily life of a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. Some of those characteristics are to be zealous in serving God, filled with faith, always in prayer, who sorrows over his own sin and the sin around him, and who is greatly concerned about increasing the godliness in the lives of his friends and family.

"Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."
- 1 Timothy 4:8

Amen.

It's in our daily walk with Christ that our mind is renewed, our sins forgiven us that we may wholly serve God to participate in God's holiness and glory.

After all, the Lord Jesus did say, "IF anyone wish to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24).

[video=youtube;wnlOoSQpZxU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnlOoSQpZxU[/video]