The word ‘godliness’ scares some people, perhaps even you. You hear it and immediately think perfection, which, when you look at your life, you see that you’re not perfect, and it discourages you. Yet Paul told young Timothy that godliness is vital, meaningful, and has great value for our lives!
1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”
Godliness isn’t about perfection or putting on a spiritual show, though. It’s not unattainable. Jesus is literally giving you His character and nature every day! In your daily life, you are being drawn toward the heart of God and learning to want what He wants. Letting His voice shape your reactions, your choices, your desires. And that doesn’t happen overnight. It’s slow, steady work.
1 Timothy 2:1 4 (NKJV) “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
The more time you spend with Him, the more you begin to think differently. You start to desire what pleases Him. Not because you’re trying to earn something, but because grace is changing you. That’s how godliness grows—not through effort alone, but through intimacy with Jesus. His presence reshapes your heart. It’s all because of His grace!
It’s amazing, isn’t it, when you choose kindness over irritation, honesty over convenience, and humility over pride. The work of His Spirit in us is glorious, wonderful, and good.
So don’t measure godliness by how you look outwardly. Measure it by your abiding. Are you moving toward Jesus? Are you letting Him speak into the hard parts of your life? He’s not asking for performance—He’s asking for an honest heart and a life that is obedient. He knows exactly how to shape a heart like that into something holy.
Godliness is that characteristic that reflects the nature of God through your life. As a born-again believer, you are godly, and the more you abide, the more He lives through you!
