When you hear that someone is a godly person what comes to mind? Do you think of a person who is generous, loving, kind, patient, and very consistent in prayer, Bible reading and witnessing? When you think of ungodliness what comes to mind? Is it something like sinful behavior? Is there even another way to think about godliness?
Godliness is a translation of the Greek word reverence. It is easy to look it up yourself. To me there is a clear distinction between reverence and godliness. Is this true for you too? All or all but one Christian I have asked to describe godliness have given a description similar to that above—a description of action or behavior. But isn't reverence simply focus on the goodness, honor, majesty, and glory of God?
Behavior flows naturally from what a person is thinking about in the moment. The fruit of the spirit and much more good flow freely from a reverent mindset. The works of the flesh flow freely from an irreverent mindset. Do you agree?
The real question is this. When the New Testament uses this word godliness (Greek: reverence) is God wanting us to think about and evaluate behavior or mindset [remember that mindset always results in some kind of word or actions]?
"Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart." Let's seek to think God's way.
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