HOLY HABIT #5
GODLINESS
Introduction
The moon tonight (July 20, 2025) is at the phase known as Waning Crescent. Only 21.3% of the moon is visible. The last full moon was July 10th. During this phase, over the next five days, the moon will be virtually invisible to the naked eye. The next full moon is Saturday, August 9th. We speak of the moon in terms of brightness, visibility, and recognize it is in an orbit around our planet. It is not really “full” or Waning or Waxing, these are terms we use to describe what we see. In actuality, the moon has no light at all - it has no properties to produce light, it can only reflect light. The light we see that seems so bright is merely a reflection of the sun. The different varieties of shapes of the moon are due to a shadow being cast by the planet Earth. God created an amazing system in the universe!
“God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars.” ~Genesis 1:16
That is a great description of the holy habit we will study today: Godliness. Any light that we shine into this dark world is not our own. It is a reflection of the Son. That is a good working definition of godliness - shining the light of God’s love into a dark world. Harmon describes godliness as “a Godward orientation of life expressed in thoughts, feelings, attitudes, speech, and actions; it should characterize our lives as believers.”
1 Peter 1:5-7 NIV “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”
We have focused on the first four habits: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance. These all relate to the inner life of a Christian and his relationship to God. The last two, mutual affection and love relate to the way we treat other people. Godliness bridges the gap between them.
John Maxwell wrote, “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”
What does the daily routine of Godliness look like - how do we develop that in our lives? How can we reflect the light of Christ
1. GO AGAINST THE FLOW
Each of these habits of holiness will lead us against the flow of our culture and community. This one is no different. 1 Peter 4:4 says, “Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.”
A question to consider: Are you becoming more like Jesus or just better at blending in?
Paul warned Timothy that living the Jesus Life would be difficult in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT, when he wrote, "You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!"
Surrender every part of your life—time, decisions, habits, resources—to God's control.
2. OBEY THE GREAT COMMANDS
The greatest commands are to love God and love others. In Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus says, "...'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
This is the very definition of godliness - to live the life that honors God by living out the love that he offers to all humans. Harmon commented that, the word “Godliness” captures the first and greatest commandment. He goes on to say that "Peter’s point is that God has given absolutely everything necessary for us to know him and to live in a way that honors him."
This kind of love is not a feeling as much as it is a decision to love. Godliness involves the way we treat other people every day in every place. In doing this we live out the mission of Jesus expressed in John 13:35. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Let obedience guide your decisions today, even when it’s inconvenient. Is there something you know God is asking you to do? Take the step.
3. DAILY MAKE THE DECISION
Godliness takes time. It’s not formed by shortcuts but by Spirit-led consistency. Peter urges, ‘make every effort’—and that effort is nourished by God’s Word (2 Peter 1:3).
Five decisions that always change our day:
- Decide every day to choose to pursue godliness. 1 Timothy 6:11b NLT says, “Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” Pursue it, chase after it, let it be the guide for all of your choices.
- Decide to put in the time. We live in a world addicted to speed and shortcuts — but godliness is slow work. James Clear wrote, "Strangely, life gets harder when you try to make it easy. Exercising might be hard, but never moving makes life harder. Mastering your craft is hard, but having no skills is harder. Uncomfortable conversations are hard, but avoiding every conflict is harder. Easy has a cost." Peter challenges us to “make every effort” (2 Peter 1:5). That effort shows up in the form of holy habits — spiritual practices that, over time, shape us into Christlikeness.
- Decide to trust God even when you don't feel it happening. “His divine power has given us everything… through the knowledge of Him.” — 2 Peter 1:3 God’s Word is the nourishment for godly growth. when we make the daily decision to pursue godliness, He will give us strength beyond our own!
- Decide to walk with the godly people you know. You can’t grow godliness in isolation. Community sharpens character. Walking with the wise builds strength and accountability. Get around men and women who challenge you spiritually — not just socially.
- Decide to study, imitate, and saturate your thinking with Jesus. The Jesus-life is not an accident. It's a daily decision. You don’t drift into godliness - you decide daily to pursue it.
4. LIVE A BRIGHT AND INFLUENTIAL LIFE
Paul painted a vivid picture of the life of the godly disciple when he wrote in Philippians 2:15, “...then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” The stars fascinate us and capture our attention. The impact of godliness is not only on ourselves but others. Peter urges, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do…” (1 Peter 1:15–16).
Paul indicates that it is something we have to put effort into. He instructs Timothy to “…train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:7b-8).
Warden commented that godliness, "...signifies a presence of mind where God is always near. … A godly person makes difficult choices with a bowed head; the joys and pains of life are faced hand in hand with God."
5. YIELD TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Paul describes the impact of the Holy Spirit in our lives in Galatians 5:22–23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. ” Maybe a good question to ask ourselves is “Which fruit of the Spirit do I need to grow in this week?” and take one intentional step.
Have you ever started your day with a prayer of surrender to the Holy Spirit. Before you ask God for the things on your heart, ask the Holy spirit to guide your words, choices, and reactions as you go throughout your day. Every time you consider the Spirit's influence before you make a decision or make a comment or make a judgment, you will set the stage to yield to His will. It isn't easy, nor is it instant. Godliness is built - not wished into existence.
Conclusion
Like the sun's reflection on the moon, God's goodness reflects in our lives as we reach out to and live in a dark world that does not know Him. Making every effort to add Godliness to our faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance will take a concentrated effort.
-Go against the flow
-Obey the great commands
-Daily make the decision
-Live a bright and influential life
-Yield to the Holy Spirit
2 Peter 1:3 “He has given us everything we need for life and godliness…”
Are you living with eternity in mind? Will you train yourself today for the godliness that will shine forever in the presence of God? Let’s commit to becoming people who reflect His light into a dark world.
Christian: Choose one step of growth this week - pick a trait, battle a sin, crave the word.
If you have yet to give your life to Christ, you can’t be godly without Jesus - surrender your life to the One who lived godliness perfectly. He will help you grow daily!
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Bible Class Discussion Questions
1. The sermon opened with a metaphor about the moon reflecting the sun. In what ways do you see yourself (or
struggle to see yourself) as a reflection of the Son?
2. “What Is Godliness to You?” How would you define godliness in your own words? How is godliness different from just being a “good person”?
3. Read 1 Peter 4:4. What are some "destructive things" that our culture celebrates today? What does it look like to resist those things in daily life without becoming judgmental or isolated?
4. “What Helps or Hinders Growth?” 2 Peter 1:5 says, “Make every effort to add to your faith…” What are some practical things that have helped your spiritual growth? What obstacles tend to slow down your growth in godliness?
5. Matthew 22:37–40 tells us of the greatest commands. How does loving God lead to godliness? How does your love for God show up in your treatment of others during the week—not just at church?
6. Why do you think community is so important for spiritual growth (see 2 Peter 3:17 18)? What role does the
community play in keeping each other spiritually sharp?
7. What are some practical ways to start your day in surrender to the Holy Spirit? What’s the difference between trying to be godly in your own strength vs. walking by the Spirit?
8. How can we resist spiritual drift and instead be intentionally growing in godliness?
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Resources for this Series Include...
Austin, Daniel. Be Certain, Sermon Series.
https://sermoncentral.com/sermon-series/be-certain-sermon-series-from-daniel-austin-5895
Barclay, William.
The Daily Study Bible: The Letters of James and Peter. Westminster Press, 1960.
Clear, James. Atomic Habits. Avery Press, 2018.
Cole, Steven J. Growing in Godliness
http://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-3-growing-godliness-2-peter-15-7
Copeland, Mark. Growing in the Knowledge of Jesus Christ Sermons
https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/growing-knowledge-jesus-christ/
Cortez, Enrich. Our Pursuit for Growth Sermon series.
https://sermoncentral.com/sermon-series/our-pursuit-for-our-growth-sermon-series-from-eyriche-cortez-999
Criswell, W. A. The Seven Christian Graces
https://wacriswell.com/sermons/1974/the-seven-christian-graces/
Deffinbaugh, Bob. The Pursuit of Christian Character
https://bible.org/seriespage/pursuit-christian-character-2-peter-15-7
Fox, Michael. Complete in Christ. Xulon Press, 2007.
Harmon, Matthew S. ESV Expository Commentary, Volume XII Hebrews - Revelation. Crossway, 2018.
Harvey, Robert and Philip H. Towner. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: 2 Peter and Jude. InterVarsity Press, 2009.
Helm, David R. Preaching the Word Series: 1 & 2 Peter and Jude. Crossway, 2008.
Mathis, David. Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines. Crossway, 2016.
Shelly, Rubel.
Something to Hold On To: Studies in First and Second Peter. 21st Century Christian, 1985.
Warden, Duane. 1 & 2 Peter and Jude
Truth for Today Commentary Series, Resource Publications, 2009.
