Is living godly outdated?

by Toyosi Adegunle

What is it like living a godly life in the 21st Century?  Quite hard, if you ask me. I was humming a song during work hours, and I remember that I had only heard the song on Social Media, I have never listened to it before, I remember telling my Colleague how hard it can be to keep a pure and clean mind in this life where you hear, read and see obscene things without your permission. We ended the conversation with "Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it comes issues of life". 

Godliness is an act of following, doing, and learning the way of God. Simply put, it is being like God - taking up the character and pattern of God. Living a godly life is one of the things we've been called to do.  Acting as much as you learn is one of my definitions of living a godly life. We learn of the ways of God by studying and converting with the Holyspirit off, we become Godly only by doing what we learn. You have to choose to be godly. Christ led an exemplary life and it is beautiful that we have someone who has walked this earth and has most likely 99.9% been through whatever you are facing right now, and even if he hasn't given you a template to navigate life regardless of times and seasons. There is absolute joy and peace in doing things and living your life God's way. There is peace in God’s Way of doing things. 

"Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law, he meditates day and night" Psalms 1:1-2 NKJV 

As a believer, have you ever felt like other believers are starting to do much with this Godliness and Holiness walk? And you say, " nahh, it's not that deep", "do we have to do this?" "Is it that serious?" Many of these questions are some of the reasons I believe that some Christians don't grow because they are not even sure of what they should be doing and what they should not do in the first place, and even when they are sure, they argue with their mind, defend the things they shouldn't be doing, make excuses, try to be cool & cute with it. 

Godliness is a lifestyle. It's not a show or an act we put up when we are in church, with other believers or about to talk to the Lord. It is the life we should live. You don't have to question how much godliness you need to have in your speech, dressing, and general lifestyle, you don't have to succumb to worldly standards, you don't have to say some Christians are doing way too much and maybe it's not that deep. here are a few things and people that can help you stay godly:

 How to remain godly

1. The word of God is our first template to knowing what godliness is and being godly. The word of God saves you the trouble of knowing what to do and what not to do; it teaches you how to talk, dress, live, grow, who to talk to, who to be friends with and a lot more. It is a great resource to every believer.
2. The Holy Spirit is always there to provide answers to situational questions and problems that may not have been mentioned in the Bible. Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit accessible to all the sons of God.
3. Your local church is another place to learn from and grow a godly lifestyle. Here is why you need to be in the right place where the word of God is the pillar and foundation.
4. Content - what you watch, listen to and read can contribute to your journey as a believer positively or negatively. There are a host of Christian content creators, Singers, Movie Producers, and writers that you can follow, enjoy, listen to and be equally blessed by.
5. Your friends are a major contributor to your godliness. They keep you in check when you're losing focus.

Nothing works without a system and structure. The above-named options are a system and structure that can keep you in check at all times. Putting actionable systems in place is one of the keys to godliness and anything successful. Don't be that believer that knows too much and does so little or does the very opposite of what Christ would have you do.

 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins." II Peter 1:5-9 NKJV 

There is a reward for godliness - it is joy, peace of mind and incredible growth. Today, choose to be godly in your actions, reactions, speech, dressing and all that you do, choose to be that friend that promotes godliness.