Living a godly life is not easy, but it is possible with God’s help. The Bible is full of practical tips on how to live a life that pleases God and honors Him. Here are some of them:
- Renew your mind with God’s word. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The more we read and meditate on God’s word, the more we will know His will and His ways. We will also be able to resist the temptations and pressures of the world that try to pull us away from God.
- Abstain from sinful passions. 1 Peter 2:11 says, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” Our fleshly desires are often contrary to God’s will and can lead us to sin and ruin. We need to deny ourselves and follow Jesus, who said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
- Present your body as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Our bodies are not our own but belong to God, who created them and redeemed them with His blood. We should use our bodies for His glory and not for our own selfish purposes. We should also keep our bodies pure and healthy, as they are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
- Walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” The Holy Spirit is our helper, guide, teacher, and comforter. He enables us to live a godly life by producing His fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). We need to listen to His voice and obey His promptings.
- Train yourself for godliness. 1 Timothy 4:7 says, “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness.” Godliness is not something that happens overnight, but it requires discipline and effort. We need to practice spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, worship, service, giving, etc. We also need to learn from godly examples and mentors who can teach us and encourage us in our walk with God.
These are some of the tips that the Bible gives us on how to live a godly life. Of course, there are many more that we can discover as we study God’s word and apply it to our lives. The most important thing is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30) and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31). This is the summary of the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40).
