What is a man of God? The Bible has much to say about this subject, and a higher standard of life awaits and blesses Christian men because of their standing in Christ. Christian men are of God; no longer are they of the world. What, then, does it mean to be a man of God?
The Apostle Paul addressed two of his pastoral epistles to Timothy, one of his disciples and child in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2). Paul poured himself into teaching this young man the Gospel and how to live the Christian life, which the Lord revealed to Paul after his own conversion (Galatians 1:11-2:10). The result Paul desired was that Timothy would keep his role as a man of God pure and focused on living and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and making disciples. Paul acknowledged Timothy as a man of God in 1 Timothy 6:11, “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” A man of God not only clothes himself in Christ, he also flees from any unrighteousness.
What is a Man of God According to Scripture?
A man of God is one who believes, obeys, and teaches the correct doctrine of Scripture.
The Old Testament tells us a man of God was a prophet (e.g., Deuteronomy 33:1-Moses, 1 Samuel 9:6-Samuel, 2 Kings 1:10-Elijah, 2 Kings 8:7-Elisha, and Nehemiah 12:24-King David). In the New Testament, we see Paul used the term man of God when he addressed Timothy (1 Timothy 6:11). But how did Timothy arrive at that status?
Scripture is our ultimate authority for life, and through it, we understand what is required for someone to become a man of God. We also need to look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which explains the supremacy of Scripture in a believer’s life, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” This passage teaches us that all discipled Christian men who believe and obey the Word are deemed men of God.
Here also we see an important nuance of the term man of God because it denotes messenger of God, like the Old Testament prophets and faithful angels (e.g., Judges 13:6). Throughout the Bible and in the lives of men of God since the completion of the Bible, a man of God serves as a messenger of God’s Word.
In the passage’s context, where Paul addresses Timothy as a man of God (1 Timothy 6:11), Paul writes against false teachers. To cement his teaching, Paul sets a contrast of Timothy against those who were teaching false doctrine (vv. 11-16) and going against the “sound teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ” and that which led to godliness. The false teachers fomented controversy, slander, envy, and dissension, all of which served no purpose except the selfish nature of the false teacher.
1 Timothy 6:11-22 gives us an overview of the biblical characteristics of a man of God.
A man of God lives with:
- Integrity as he flees anything to do with false teaching.
- Godliness; he pursues love, righteousness, and peace according to what Jesus taught.
- A righteous fight for his faith in that he takes hold of the eternal life to which he is called and lives in accord with his confession of that faith.
- Righteousness. He follows the Lord’s commands and keeps himself unstained from the sins of the world and therefore is free from reproach (criticism).
- Peace. A man of God is content and does not vie for anything outside his gentle and genuine witness for Christ.
- Good works and generous with what the Lord has given him.
- Grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, which together make one effective for kingdom work. Knowledge for knowledge’s sake only serves to puff up the bearer and is detrimental for others.
- Spirit-filled direction as he guards the true gospel.
What are the Key Traits of a Man of God?
Timothy, as Paul’s child in the faith, would have inherited traits from Paul, his teacher. Men of God are driven by the certainty of eternal life and knowledge of accountability to God for their actions. As such, a man of God is quick to pray for and instill humility, love, kindness, courage, justice, and perseverance (Micah 6:8).
We are not surprised to see the defining characteristics and traits of a man of God listed as the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
When Paul tells Timothy to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12), a man of God knows the perseverance necessary to accomplish this lifelong task. The man of God knows he is lost without the Holy Spirit and relies on Him for his walk with Christ (Ephesians 5:1-21).
The good fight includes serving Christ by serving others. A man of God does not seek the approval of man but of God (Galatians 1:10); therefore, as he becomes more like Christ, he serves with Christlike compassion and joy.
A man of God is a servant-leader, as is our Lord Christ (Mark 10:45). A man of God, by his faithful servant leadership, will provide a Christlike witness to unbelievers in his work, relationships, and life as a whole.
How Does a Man of God Demonstrate Faith?
In Luke 11:37-54, Jesus conversed with a Pharisee who admonished Him for not following their rules for washing before a meal. Jesus pronounced His seven woes on the hypocrites who, “cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness” (v. 39). One lesson that can be gleaned from this interaction is that hypocrites breed hypocrites. A man of God, instead, hides nothing, for his heart is attuned to what he has been taught from Scripture and from his godly mentors. He demonstrates his faith by how his heart leads him along all avenues of life (Luke 12:34).
A man of God not only guards his heart, but he also guards his time in God’s Word. His approach to Scripture includes quality, distraction-free time steeped in prayer. The example he displays to his family has eternal benefits as they learn from him.
Prayer serves as a man of God’s most important daily communication, whether it’s in adoration, supplication, petition, or confession. Prayer is the first step built on Scripture’s foundation (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
The foundation of Scripture study and prayer buttresses a man’s trust in God because, in both, the man of God gains intimate knowledge of his heavenly Father and of His plans for all of humanity.
With this solid footing, a man of God can faithfully lead others in godly living by example and by teaching.
How Can a Man of God Lead His Family and Community?
An active man of God is as godly a man as possible this side of heaven. He will gain his greatest counsel from the Word of God and in fellowship and accountability groups with other godly men.
A man of God who leads his family and community well will:
- Love God above all else and spend his prime time in the Word and in prayer.
- Love his wife as Christ loves the church and will exemplify Christlike character in his role as her husband (Ephesians 5:25).
- Love his children and teach them the ways of following Christ (Proverbs 22:6).
- Love his church family and serve alongside them within the church and within their community.
- Never be a workaholic.
- Be an excellent steward of God’s resources.
- Be balanced in his service so no one suffers a lack of his love and leadership.
- Constantly seek God’s will and wisdom and will never take it for granted.
- Remain in fellowship with God (1 John 1:9).
- Be humble in service and leadership in his home and in the church (Philippians 2:3).
- Disciple young men and encourage and edify other church members, not forsaking church discipline
- Avoid the very appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22-23, KJV).
- Take part with his family in outreach activities within his community.
- Seek first the kingdom and God’s righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
How Can You Grow into a Man of God?
Being a man of God is imperative to a man’s witness as a Christ-follower. The first action a man must take is to assure his salvation by surrendering in faith and repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ. As a new believer, a man should seek a Bible-based and Christ-centered church with which to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Without the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, it is impossible for anyone to please God, let only be a Godly example for others (Hebrews 11:16).
A man of God trusts the Lord God to grow him through sanctification, the incredible Holy Spirit-led education every Christian enjoys. In the twenty-first century, a man of God stands out in bold contrast to the prevailing culture which is full of false teachers. It’s important for a man of God to sharpen his discernment as he interacts with our culture. Therefore, he must subscribe to and be active in the Bible’s directives about a Christian’s walk with Christ—in the Spirit.
He must take practical steps to deepen his faith and grow in spiritual maturity. Having a mentor, an accountability group, and immersing himself in prayer is paramount to his status as a man of God.
Along with the practical steps mentioned above, a man with the Bible in hand need only follow its commands and admonitions to find solid footing on a righteous path as prepared by the Lord. It should be the desire of every man of God to stand before the Lord one day and hear, “Well done, My faithful servant.”
Further Reading
What Does it Look Like to Be a Man of God?
What are the Characteristics of a Man of God in the 21st Century?
What it Really Means to Be a Man of God
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