What does it mean to be a man of God? To be a man of God means you seek Him above all else. Being a man of God is a position of sonship, humility, and leadership. It’s a character-shaping journey that brings to light who you are in Jesus and leads to your purpose for His kingdom.
Man of God, the Lord says this to you…
“‘ I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.'”
—2 Corinthians 6:18
To Be a Man of God Means…
You Are a Man After God’s Own Heart
David is described in the Bible as a man after God’s own heart. David was a great leader, not because of how he looked or fought, but rather what God found in his heart. David was successful because he loved and trusted God.
His heart was in harmony with God’s. He sought the things of God. Did he make mistakes? Absolutely! But he repented, accepted the consequences, and moved on. This is a picture of how to be a man of God. Choose to seek the heart of God today.
- “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’”—Acts 13:22
- “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”—1 Samuel 13:14
- “Let your heart therefore be loyal to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day.”—1 Kings 8:61
- “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”—Psalm 37:4
You Have Confidence in Your Identity
When you know who you belong to, you accept His words as truth. When God says you are forgiven, redeemed, loved, blessed, significant, and chosen in Jesus, you take Him at His word. Man of God, you are aware that the labels people give you can take you off course. Choose, moment by moment, to put those labels aside and focus on who God says you are.
- “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”—Philippians 1:6
- “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”—1 Peter 2:4-5
- “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…”—1 Peter 2:9
- “… strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love…”—Colossians 1:11-13
You Welcome Correction
As a man of God, you know the gift of Biblical correction. The Bible says that those who accept correction are wise and those who reject it are foolish. The Bible is the first source of correction. It provides instructions and tells you the instructions are good for you. His correction leads to restoration!
The enemy uses correction to plant seeds of condemnation in the hearts and minds of men. Fortunately, the Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword and can split condemnation from conviction, revealing Biblical correction. Ask God to give you a heart that welcomes correction, not seeing it as a failure but as an opportunity for growth.
- “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.”—Hebrews 12:7-8
- “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.”—Job 5:17
- “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.”—Psalm 26:2
- “Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.”—Proverbs 9:8
You Follow Jesus’ Example in Leadership
As a man of God, you know godly leadership is not about manipulating others to see a situation your way. It is about leading with a servant attitude. Godly leadership loves, speaks truth, brings peace, and has integrity and respect.
Man of God, when you lead, you shepherd. You guide others and cultivate a community that is safe, nurturing, and equips those who are in your care to hold you and others accountable. Consider yourself a slave to Christ, just as Paul did. Earnestly pray for those in your care to follow Jesus’ example too.
- “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”—Philippians 2:5-7
- “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God…”—Romans 1:1
- “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”—1 Peter 5:2-4
- “So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.”—Psalm 78:72
You Seek God’s Word
When you are joyful, seek God’s Word. When you are confused, frustrated, or sad, seek God’s Word. These are principles to live by as a man of God. God’s Word is the light to your path. You live by it and receive it. You know it provides rest in times of turmoil.
During busy seasons in your life—managing work, homelife, volunteer responsibilities, and relationships—you still seek God and His Word, even for brief moments throughout the day. Allow God’s Word to cleanse and renew your mind (Ephesians 5:26).
- “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”—Hebrews 4:12
- “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”—2 Timothy 3:16-17
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”—Proverbs 3:5
- “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”—Psalm 119:105
You Have “Fear of the Lord”
As a man of God, you understand your need for godly wisdom. The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Earthly wisdom comes from fear of man or the idea that your thoughts are higher. However, because Christ rules in your heart, you know His thoughts should rule in your mind.
The “fear” you have of the Lord is reverence and understanding of His sovereignty and ultimate reign in your life. Ask God to reveal any fear of man that drives your thoughts or actions. Replace it with reverence and trust in God.
- “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”—Galatians 1:10
- “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”—Proverbs 9:10
- “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.”—Psalm 111:10
- “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!”—Joshua 24:14
You Have a Responsibility
Responsibility can feel burdensome. But this was not God’s intent. In the garden of Eden, God gave Adam the task of working the ground and the authority to name the animals. This authority was about a partnership with Him. As a man of God, His design is for you to partner with Him and manage what is His.
We know all things belong to God. Your role and responsibility, as a man of God, are to steward the resources and gifts He has given you. Jesus teaches this in the parable of the talents and the minas. Remember, you are not responsible for things God has not put in your care, only that for which He has graciously given you. Ask Him for wisdom to steward well.
- “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”—Luke 12:48
- “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men…”—Colossians 3:23
- “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”—1 Corinthians 13:11
- “Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it.”—Ezra 10:4
How the Enemy Attacks Your Identity as a Man of God
You are a failure.
The enemy knows the importance of strong men to society. They are critical to communities, so his goal is to take them out. He uses the fear of failure to attack their minds.
When you can recognize the fear of failure is from the enemy, you can pick up the sword of the Spirit and use the Word of God to stand up against the scheme. Declare you are chosen, adopted, and made in God’s image.
No one respects you.
Respect is important to you because God wired you to give and receive respect. This is why the enemy uses this lie against you. If he can get you to think you aren’t respected, it is easier for you to disrespect others. Stop the enemy in His tracks and declare you are made to lead and love others with respect.
Vulnerability shows weakness.
It is difficult for most of us to be vulnerable. But God created us to be a part of a community that can share struggles in a way that actually resembles worship more than whining.
The Bible says those who are weak are made strong. So then, Satan’s lie is two-fold. He says vulnerability will bring you down when it actually can build you up and glorify God. He says weakness comes from vulnerability, when in fact, weakness comes from being dependent on self rather than God. Trust God in your vulnerability.
In Summary
To be a man of God means you…
- Are a man after God’s own heart
- Desire to lead and love well
- Have a “fear of the Lord” rather than a “fear of man”
The enemy will always come after your identity using lies. He wants you to forget who you are so that you won’t step into your purpose for God’s kingdom. Knowing you are a man of God strengthens your faith and gives you a firm foundation of truth to stand on when the enemy whispers lies to you.
