Goodliness R Godliness

 “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” I Timothy 4:8, 16 NKJV

Two major characteristics of believers’ conduct can be summarized as manliness and godliness. While manliness is defined as “we ought to obey men rather than God”, godliness is defined as “we ought to obey God rather than men”; hypocrisy merely disguises sitting on the fence of manliness as godliness. Manliness or goodliness prides itself in the use of human intelligence,  political sagacity, and financial prowess to design and navigate the course of life’s actions and inaction, especially at the expense of obeying the counsels of the Lord. Unfortunately, the implication of manliness is always disobedience to God and most often than not, outright rebellion against the will of God. For example, those who major in bodily exercise are keen on promoting their physical, financial, political, and material achievements while taking heed of themselves alone. As soon as the revelation of God’s words disagree with their personal considerations, they opt out. Whereas, godliness is always contented with “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you”.