Living Godly Lives In This Present World

by Micky Galloway

Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world.”

We are instructed to pray for all men and “for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity” (I Timothy 2:2). We must, “refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come” (I Timothy 4:7-8). We read, “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:6). The “man of God” is told to, “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (I Timothy 6:11). Godliness is one of the necessary qualities to add to our faith to make our calling and election sure. “In your faith supply virtue; and in (your) virtue knowledge; and in (your) knowledge self-control; and in (your) self-control patience; and in (your) patience godliness; and in (your) godliness brotherly kindness; and in (your) brotherly kindness love” (II Peter 1:5-7).

What is UNGODLINESS? Ungodliness (asébeia) is simply “impiety toward God … lack of reverence (Romans 1:18); wickedness in general, neglect, or violation of duty toward God, our neighbor, or ourselves, joined with and springing from impiety toward God” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament). Ungodliness is seen in our disregard for, or defiance of, God’s laws. All who live ungodly lives are subject to the wrath of God. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). No one lives “soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world” unless he has been educated to dispose and forever eliminate from his life ALL UNGODLINESS.

What is GODLINESS? Godliness (eusebeia), “reverence, respect, piety toward God, godliness: Acts 3:12” (Thayer). It “denotes that piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to him” (W.E. Vine). It embraces that fear and reverence of God that must characterize both our attitudes and conduct. It is very well illustrated with Noah. “By faith Noah, being warned (of God) concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house” (Hebrews 11:7; cf. I Timothy 3:12; II Peter 2:9). It is the character quality which enables one to say, “Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9) with meaning, reverence, and awe. It is the acute awareness of the greatness of Him who is the “Almighty” (Genesis 17:1), and infinitely “Holy” God (Isaiah 6:3).

Admittedly we live in a world of much hypocrisy in religion, many desiring a religion of convenience, and little or no commitment or conviction. There are those who profess to be Christians who live ungodly lives. Here are some guidelines that perhaps will help us to live a godly life in a wicked world; a life that is more consistent and more appealing to others to follow the teaching of Christ.

1. Remember who we are! Christians are “living stones,” a part of “a spiritual house, a holy priesthood,” a people who are “now the people of God,” and therefore “as sojourners and pilgrims” must “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (I Peter 2:5, 10-11). “People of God” must not live like children of the devil!


2. Develop proper friendships! “Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (I Corinthians 15:33). The world is filled with alcoholics and drug addicts who never intended to become addicted, but who “went along in order to get along,” and suffered the loss of everything. It is filled with people living together without respect for marriage as God instituted it and bringing up another generation of children in the same ungodly way. Hebrews 13:4 says, “(Let) marriage (be) had in honor among all, and (let) the bed (be) undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Do what you must to “flee fornication” (I Corinthians 6:18), “flee youthful lusts” (II Timothy 2:22). “Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:13-14, NASU). Clearly, the wisdom of God says, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20, KJV).


3. Set aside time each day for reading and studying the Bible! The psalmist said, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; and on his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalms 1:1-2). David said, “Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalms 119:11). There is no shortcut!


4. Spend much time in prayer! Jesus taught that “men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1, NASV). Paul admonished the saints at Thessalonica to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:22). James said, “The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working” (James 5:16). Many professed Christians often “have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:2).


5. Never miss a worship assembly which you are able to attend! First century Christians “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). The “whole church” ought to be “assembled together in one place” (I Corinthians 14:23), to honor and glorify God. God’s people are plainly exhorted to “consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting (one another); and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh” (Hebrews 10:24-25). When we assemble together, we encourage one another, we increase our knowledge of the Scriptures, we are drawn closer to God, and glorify Him. We also are challenged to avoid “ungodliness and worldly lusts,” and to “live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12). In a very real sense, regular worship helps us build up our spiritual “immune system,” so that we are made more able to resist temptation. There is a definite correlation between spiritual strength and regularity in scriptural worship.

Perhaps these guidelines will help us as we strive to live a godly life in this present world. In Philippians 2:14-16, the apostle Paul pleaded, “Do all things without murmurings and questionings: that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life.” The darker the world is around us, the more a light can be seen. What a difference a godly life could make in this present world that is so tainted with sin.