Five Marks of a Godly Men

Be Watchful

Watch because we have an enemy.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

As men we are called to keep a watch for that which endangers our souls and our families. Like the night watchmen were to warn of approaching danger.

Watch by focusing on what is eternal!

We live in an age of distraction, and one of Satan’s chief tactics is to distract men from what is eternally valuable. He will do it through any means: work, pleasure, amusement. Remember that the Lord is going to return!

Mark 13:35–37 ESV

35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

Keep watch through prayer.

The command is to maintain a vertical union with the Lord. (Jesus in the Garden to Peter - “Could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41

Be Faithful

The second command, to Stand Firm, means to continue in the faith.

Stand firm by holding to the truth of the Gospel that has been delivered to you!

Stand firm by continuing the in the freedom won by Christ. - Gal. 5:1

When all others are retreating, the man who stands firm in the Lord becomes a rallying point for others. - Stonewall Jackson

A godly man stands firm upon the Word of God.

Be Courageous

The word literally means to “act like a man.” It bears a sense of maturity and willingness to do what is required.

Courage involves a sense of purpose beyond oneself, a responsibility before God to do what is right regardless of the cost or sacrifice.

Courage is rooted in confidence about who you are In the LORD.

Be Strong

All of these verbs are present imperatives (commands), but only this one is in the passive voice. Strange that the command to be strong is passive? It means that your strength does not come from yourself.

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Your strength comes from the Lord. Look to him in the midst of the fight. - The story of Joshua and the Captain of the Lord’s Hosts. - Be Strong and Courageous

Be Loving

The key that ties all the other marks together is sacrificial love. Selfishness is not an option for the man of God, there are too many other lives at stake.

Men, you have been called to give your life so that others may grow and flourish.

Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things; Give heart and soul and mind and strength to serve the King of kings.

Rise up, O men of God! His kingdom tarries long; As faithful workmen, watch and pray and light the night of wrong.

Rise up, O men of God! The church for you doth wait — Your strength unequal to the task, But Christ in you is great!

Lift high the cross of Christ; Tread where His feet have trod; As brothers of the Son of Man, Rise up, O men of God!