The Godly Man
Women, what do you look for in a man? Good looks? Money? Fancy car? Intelligence? Nice family? Or God? God should not just be a part of a man’s life. God should be his life. Rom. 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Just as Christians should be different from the world, so should Christian men be different from the world.
The Godly man and his God: The husband is the head of the family (Eph. 5:23). But before he can lead his wife and children as he should, he must first get his relationship with God in line (I Cor. 11:3). Headship should always be others-oriented. It’s a responsibility, not a right. And the greater authority one has, the greater the sacrifices that are expected (Luke 12:48).
A Godly man must exercise wisdom. Prov. 14:12 and 16:25 say the same thing: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Whatever the man does in life—at home, at work, in the church—he is to do it based on what God says. Put on qualities of truth, mercy and honesty, while getting rid of pride and learning to control the tongue and anger. Work so that your name brings a positive image to people’s minds (Prov. 22:1).
The Godly man and his family: Set a good example. Children are watching. Do they see you praying? Studying? Treating your wife and their mother with love? Families of God are to be led by Godly men (Eph. 5:25-30). The Godly man is to be a hard worker who provides for his family (I Tim. 5:8). The Godly man is to love his wife sacrificially, just as Christ loved the church. When is the last time you voluntarily sacrificed something important to you for the sake of your wife?
Men, our job is to serve our families, providing for them physically, emotionally and spiritually. True leaders labor for others. Jesus is the perfect example of that (Matt. 20:28). Men, how are we doing? My prayer is our wives and children continue to get closer to God because of the way we treat them and lead them.