man of God, true man of God, Scripture

Have you ever called someone, a “man of God?” What is or who is a true man of God according to Scripture?

He is Teachable

What is or who is a true man of God according to Scripture? A man of God is open to rebuke and correction. If there is humility and a willingness to be teachable, there is hope in that man. When someone accuses a man of God of something, he doesn’t make excuses but looks inward and examines his own heart to see if these things are true. Sin can so easily deceive us (Heb 13:3) and blind us to our own sins. A man of God, like King David, will confess them to God and repented of them (Psalm 51). One acronym I like is God can use FAT people: People who are Faithful; people who are Available; and people who are Teachable. Ninety percent of serving is just showing up. A man of God “shows up” and remains open to correction and is teachable.

He Confronts Error

At least two things we can say about a man of God is, he always stands up for the truth, and he always takes a stand against error. In 1 Kings 13 we read about a “man of God” who “came out of Judah by the word of the Lord to Bethel” (1 Kings 13:1) to confront evil King Jeroboam, so the man of God also brings truth according to “the word of the Lord.” When truth is proclaimed, error is exposed, and that’s not always popular, but a man of God doesn’t care about being popular. He cares about being right. He cares about the truth. During the priesthood of Eli, “there came a man of God to Eli” and told him that his priesthood was about to be removed and told him why (1 Sam 2). The “man of God” had good reason to confront the Eli because He was a representative of God before the people, and Eli’s sons were profaning the temple. A man of God is willing to speak up when others are silent.

He Speaks God’s Word

Before Saul was “King Saul,” God brought a message to him by the means of a “man of God.” The man of God in this case was the Prophet Samuel. He was a sort of judge at that time for the nation Israel. The people had no king so they looked to Samuel who was known as a man of God. Samuel brought Saul a message from God, telling him what was to come (1 Sam 9:19), and that Saul would be Israel’s first king. A man of God, speaking for God, uses the Word of God and not their own words. He delivers God’s message, not his own, much as a pastor would during the sermon. Samuel didn’t say, “This is what I think,” but, “[T]hus says the Lord.” So does the man of God.

He’s Obedient

You cannot be called a man of God unless you obey the Word of God. God does not use men who are not obeying Scripture. God “has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)? A regenerated man is a new creation in Christ, having new tendencies for Christ (2 Cor 5:17). He will seek the things of God; His Word, His Spirit, and His fellowship. Our love for God will be reflected by our obedience to God (John 14:15). Those who do the will of the Father are truly the children of the God (Matt 12:50; Mark 3:35), and men of God are in that category. Scriptures tells us that God “raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will” (Acts 13:22). A man of God is a man after God’s own heart…if they “will do all [His] will.”

He’s a Servant

I believe a pastor or any church leader is called by God to “wash the feet of the saints.” If Jesus as God humbled Himself to wash the disciples feet, how can we not humble ourselves and serve others; esteeming others better than ourselves? A man of God is not measured by the number of people who serve him, but by the number of people he serves. A man of God is not a man of himself. If he is truly a man of God, he has sacrificed his own time and interests for the benefit of others. Even to his detriment, he will serve others because “even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). That is the calling of a man of God.

Conclusion

I do not believe we should ever introduce ourselves as a “man of God” because we are first and foremost a sinner, but a sinner forgiven and saved by grace (Eph 2:8-9). Now, there is no more condemnation before God because of Christ (Rom 8:1), and we are now at peace with God (Rom 5:1). If you haven’t trusted in Christ, God is opposed to you and will judge you for your sins; either at Christ’s return (Rev 20:12-15), or after you die (Heb 9:27)…whichever comes first.

I’ve had a few people call me a “man of God” but I’m not comfortable with that. I tell them that the foot of the cross is the same level ground we all stand upon. Christians are not better than others…they are just better off, and only because of Christ (John 3:16). A true man of God recognizes that, and he sees others as better than himself (Phil 2:3).

Here is some related reading for you: 7 Great Men of the Bible

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tagged as: man of God, Scripture, true man of God