Living a godly life is a profound desire for every Christian. But what does it mean to live a godly life? Godly living is the pursuit of a life that pleases and honors God. It is a life free of sin, wickedness and the corruption of the world.
How then can we live a godly life in the modern world?
While it is challenging to uphold godliness and spiritual purity in the present world, we can do it through the help of the Holy Spirit. Philippians 4:13 reminds us that we are able to do all things through Christ. We can successful live a victorious Christian life through the guidance of God’s word and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The practical tips below will help you navigate the path of spiritual growth and live a godly life.
1. Seek God through Daily Prayer and Meditation
Life’s pressures can greatly hinder our prayer life. But as children of God, we must always be in constant communication with Him. Developing a godly life begins with cultivating a deep and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. Prayer and meditation are essential components in this relationship.
How does prayer help us live a godly life?
Prayer strengthens our inner man and increases our faith in God. There are a lot of temptations and trials that can bring us down when we fail to pray. In Matthew 26:41 (NKJV), Jesus says, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The human body can easily succumb to the temptations that come our way. However, when we devote ourselves to prayer, our spirits will be strengthened to overcome them all. Jesus is the best example that we can emulate when pursuing holiness and purity. He devoted Himself to a life of prayer. Jesus prayed and fasted in the wilderness for forty day and nights. And when the enemy came to tempt Him, His spirit-man was strong enough to overcome.
Regular communication with God aligns our desires with His will. It gives us the wisdom to discern the lies of the devil and overcome them. Therefore, if you want to live a victorious Christian life, make an effort to pray always.
2. Immerse Yourself in the Word of God
Living a godly life requires a strong foundation in God’s Word. God’s word was written to teach, train, correct, and guide us into His light and truth. Every single word in the scriptures is vital for godly living, directly or indirectly. God instructs us to make His word abide in our hearts. He asks us to pay attention to it and let it guide us to holiness and godliness.
Proverbs 4:20-21 (NKJV) – “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart.”
Regular study and application of the Bible nourishes our spirits and provides wisdom for every aspect of life.
2 Timothy 3:15-16 (NKJV) – “And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
3. Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude
A heart filled with gratitude is essential in living a godly life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us to always give thanks regardless of the situations we are going through. We have to acknowledge God’s goodness and sovereignty even in challenging times.
The temptation to sin is higher when things are tough. Many of us turn away from God when challenges surround our lives. We always think that God has left us on our own and this thought pushes us away from Him. However, when we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we learn to stick by Him even when storms arise. Additionally, we are able to overcome the lies of the enemy through thanksgiving. This helps us overcome the temptation to do things that do not align with the will of God.
4. Repent and Turn Back to God
The fact that we are born again does not mean that we cannot fall short of the glory of God. In fact, Jesus says that we lie to ourselves when we say that we are perfect. Godly living involves admitting our mistakes and seeking God’s forgiveness.
David was a man who dearly loved the Lord. The Bible tells us that he was a man after God’s own heart. However, he made mistakes several times. But he did not hide his wrongdoings. He remorsefully admitted them and repented.
God calls us to repentance and forgiveness of sin. He is always ready to welcome us back in His grace and mercy.
1 John 1:9-10 (NKJV) – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
As a child of God, you must always be ready to admit your mistakes and seek righteousness. Remember that godly living is not about being perfect, but about recognizing your weaknesses and turning away from sin.
5. Practice Humility
To live a godly life, we must emulate the humility displayed in the life of Jesus. His life on earth epitomized humility and compassion. He humbly served mankind despite the fact that He was the Son of God. You and I can walk in the footsteps of Jesus by putting others before ourselves.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV) – “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Let us serve where we are required to serve, and may the world see the humility of Jesus through us.
By cultivating a heart of humility, we position ourselves to openly accept correction and guidance. Besides, it is only by humbling ourselves that we can learn from others and from God too.
6. Walk in the Spirit and Flee from Sin
Godly living involves walking in the Spirit and resisting the temptations of sin.
Galatians 5:16 (NKJV) – “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Walking in the Spirit means yielding to His guidance and empowerment, and allowing Him to direct our thoughts, desires, and actions. As we walk in the Spirit, we gain the strength to resist the allure of sinful desires and passions. The Holy Spirit enables us to overcome the enticements of the flesh and guards us from falling into the snares of sin. Embracing a Spirit-led life empowers us to live in victory over sin and walk in alignment with God’s purposes and commands.
7. Attend Church Regularly and Embrace Fellowship
Building godly relationships within the body of Christ fosters spiritual growth and accountability. As we attend church services and listen to God’s messages, we grow in faith. Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes the significance of gathering together to encourage one another in love and good works.
The early church in Acts 2:42-47 serves as an example of the power of fellowship and communal devotion. They shared their lives, prayed together, and supported each other in their pursuit of godliness.
The church can also play an important role in helping us live a godly life by holding us accountable for our actions. Through the wisdom and guidance of church elders and fellow brethren, we can victoriously live a holy life.
8. Put God First Above All Else
Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) – “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
When we prioritize God in our thoughts, decisions, and actions, we prove to Him that we honor Him. This attitude of seeking God’s guidance in everything we do can transform every aspect of our lives. By putting God first, we demonstrate our trust and devotion to Him. This sets the foundation for a godly and purposeful life. When He is at the center of our lives, every other thing will fall into place. He will light our paths and guide us in the way of truth.
9. Avoid Bad Company
Avoiding bad company is a crucial tip for living a godly life, as emphasized in 1 Corinthians 15:33.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV) – “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
The people we surround ourselves with can greatly influence our attitudes, behaviors, and values. Keeping company with those who engage in sinful behaviors or hold contrary beliefs can lead us astray and compromise our godly principles. Therefore, seek the wisdom of God when choosing your friends. Friends who have the fear of the Lord in them will inspire you to live a godly life.
Conclusion
Living a godly life is a transformative journey that requires intentional effort, reliance on God’s word, and submission to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. By applying the above Christian living tips and principles to godly living, we can grow spiritually and live a life that brings glory to God.
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