Godliness
Parents of young children quickly learn they must watch what they say; their children are sure to repeat what they have said at the most inopportune moment. With God and us, the tables turn. We wish we did a better job of saying what he says and doing what he does. Godliness is being like God-in his attitudes and actions.

But how can we possibly learn to be like God? We can know what God says about himself. He's fair, good and loving. We can pay attention to the qualities he tells us he's looking for: We are to "act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with [our] God" (Micah 6:8). We can mimic the people God approved of in Scripture-such as King David, a man after God's heart-and avoid being like those God denounced. In 2 Timothy 2, Paul says we should do our best to present ourselves to God as "one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed" (verse 15); we should keep away from "foolish and stupid arguments" (verse 23) and pursue "righteousness, faith, love and peace" (verse 22).

Being godly isn't always easy. It takes self-discipline. We know we must train ourselves in godliness (see 1 Timothy 4:7-8) and persevere (see verses 15-16). But God doesn't expect us to do it alone: "his divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him" (2 Peter 1:3). So as you spend more time getting to know God and trying to be like him, his power will change and shape your heart, mind and actions.

We should strive for godliness.
1 Timothy 4:7-8; 6:3-7,11
Titus 1:1
2 Peter 1:3-10