Characteristics of a Godly Man

Some people may call you a boy, some may call you a young man. I prefer the term young man ​because you are growing up and becoming a true man of God. But what does that mean? What does it mean to be a man of God, and how can you start building on these things now, while you're in your teens? Here are some characteristics of a godly man:

He Keeps His Heart Pure

Oh, those stupid temptations! They know just how to get in the way of our Christian walk and our relationship with God. A Godly man strives to have ​purity of heart. He strives to avoid lust and other temptations and works hard to overcome them. Is a godly man a perfect man? Well, not unless he's Jesus. So, there are going to be times a Godly man makes a mistake. Yet, he works to make sure those mistakes are minimized.

He Keeps His Mind Sharp

A Godly man desires to be wise so he can make good choices. He studies his Bible, and he works hard to make himself a smarter, more disciplined person. He wants to know what is going on in the world to see how he can do God's work. He wants to know God's answer to any situation he may face. This means spending time in bible study, doing your homework, taking your schooling seriously, and spending time in prayer and church.

He Has Integrity

A Godly man is one that puts an emphasis on his own integrity. He strives to be honest and just. He works to develop a strong ethical foundation. He has an understanding of Godly behavior, and he wants to live to please God. A Godly man has a good character and a clean conscience.

He Uses His Words Wisely

We all speak out of turn sometimes, and often we are quicker to speak than to think through what we should say. A Godly man puts an emphasis on speaking well to others. This doesn't mean a Godly man skirts the truth or avoids confrontation. He actually works on telling the truth in a loving manner and in a way that people respect him for his honesty.

He Works Hard

In today's world, we are often discouraged from hard work. There seems to be an underlying importance placed on finding the easy way through something than doing it well. Yet a Godly man knows that God wants us to work hard and do our jobs well. He wants us to be an example to the world of what good hard work can bring. If we start developing this discipline early in high school, it will translate well when we get into college or the workforce.

He Devotes Himself to God

God is always a priority to a Godly man. The man looks to God to guide him and direct his movements. He relies on God to provide him with an understanding of situations. He devotes his time to doing Godly work. Godly men go to church. They spend time in prayer. They read devotionals and do outreach to the community. They also spend time developing a relationship with God. These are all easy things you can start doing right now to grow your relationship with God.

He Never Gives Up

We all feel defeated at times when we just want to give up. There are times when the enemy comes in and tries to take away God's plan from us and puts up barriers and obstacles. A Godly man knows the difference between God's plan and his own. He knows never to give up when it's God's plan and to persevere through a situation, and he also knows when to change direction when he allows his own mind to get in the way of God's plan. Developing the tenacity to keep going is not easy in high school, but start small and try.

He Gives Without Complaint

Society tells us to always look out for #1, but who is actually #1? Is it God? It should be, and a Godly man knows it. When we look out for God, he gives us a heart for giving. When we do God's work, we give to others, and God gives us a heart that soars when we do it. It never feels like a burden. A Godly man gives his time or his money without complaining because it's God's glory he seeks. We can start developing this selflessness by getting involved now. If you don't have money to give, try your time. Join an outreach program. Do something, and give something back. It's all for God's glory, and it helps people in the meantime.