Good or Godly?

Good or Godly?

A Devotional by Melody Crosby Hale

Key Scripture

“They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:5 NLT)

When we hear someone say, “That’s a good person”, what does that mean?  What qualifies a person to be good? What qualifies a person to be bad?  

Usually, being good or bad is a matter of morality. Just because something is moral doesn't mean it is godly. 

“They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:5 NLT)

To me, it is interesting that 2 Timothy 3 refers to people who had a camouflage of good on—the outside looked different from what was on the inside.  It looked as though they were good people, but the presence and power of God were not operating in them.  

I can provide for my family, which is a morally good thing, but if I leave God out as the source, it isn't godly. 

I can attain educational degrees, which is a morally good thing, but if I place my wisdom above God's, it isn't godly.

I can become the best version of myself for my daughter and grandchildren, which is a morally good thing, but if my life does not lead them to God, it isn't godly.  

I can love others and do good deeds, which is a morally good thing, but if my heart is far away from God, it isn't godly. 

God cares about our need for Him rather than our morality that doesn’t include Him. I am reminded of a story that Jesus told about two men. One man had a camouflage of goodness because he was satisfied with the good deeds he was doing. Yet, he looked at another man and thanked God in his heart that he wasn’t like “that sinner”.  And the “sinner” looked to God and said in his heart, “God, be merciful to me, for I know that I am a sinner.”  

In my own life, I have categorized myself as good even though ungodliness was in my heart.  But the most humbling and closest I have ever felt to God was when I was doing some ungodly things in my life, knew I needed God in that moment, and was crying out to Him for help.  

I believe God calls us to guard our hearts against labeling things as good or bad and instead to move towards Him. 

Having a camouflage of goodness doesn’t reveal what is in a person's heart.  But God delights in transforming us from good and bad to godliness because of His presence and power living in us. True godliness leads people from sin to God. 

Reflection Question 

Where in our lives are we hanging our hats on our good rather than leaning into the godliness of God? 

Prayer

Lord God, I am confident that as we bring all of ourselves before Your Word, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us what is godly and what is ungodly. We thank You for opening our eyes to see You in our lives. We thank You for showing us how to love all people, even as we guard our hearts, as You transform us in Your love and godliness.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Melody used to live a defeated life because of trauma and deception that led to addiction until she came to know who Jesus is and who she is in Him. She helps others live the overcoming life through her ministry, Freedom Within, by pointing them to Jesus Christ, who lives within them.