30 Distinguishing Marks of a Godly Home
A godly home is like an embassy of heaven. Whoever steps into a godly home should sense the influence of Christ. They should see evidence of other-worldly power. They should hear words and music that reflect words and music currently filling heaven. A godly home should make those who live and visit there homesick for heaven.
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis put it this way, “We might think that God wanted simply obedience to a set of rules: whereas He really wants people of a particular sort.” The sort of homes God wants are godly homes.
There are no perfect homes because there are no perfect families. Godly homes are often occupied by blended families, single parents, and husbands and wives facing difficult realities. But God can turn any home into a godly home when He is passionately pursued.
Godly homes are…
1. Where there is a foundation of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).
2. Where Jesus is worshiped above all competing loyalties.
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:11).
3. Where the Bible is read, spoken, and obeyed.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
4. Where prayers for one another and with one another are offered and answered.
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9).
5. Where the Holy Spirit fills those who live there.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13).
6. Where covenant love builds intimate and durable marriages.
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (Hebrews 13:4).
7. Where godly husbands love their wives by laying down their lives.
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
8. Where godly wives love their husbands through support and encouragement.
“However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:33).
9. Where godly parents raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
10. Where children are welcomed as a gift from the Lord.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3).
11. Where humility and dependency on God are expressed.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:10).
12. Where family members attempt to outdo one another in showing honor.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10).
13. Where widows and orphans are cared for.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27).
14. Where truth is spoken in love.
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25).
15. Where patience and kindness permeate the attitudes and atmosphere.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
16. Where sin is frequently confessed.
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
17. Where forgiveness is frequently sought and granted.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
18. Where local church participation is a priority.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
19. Where hospitality is offered generously.
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9).
20. Where all God’s image bearers are welcomed and honored.
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).
21. Where joy and laughter are abundant.
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).
22. Where thankfulness occasionally produces spontaneous singing and dancing.
“Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20).
23. Where tears are allowed without shame.
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” (Psalm 126:5).
24. Where learning never ends.
“Know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
25. Where the first portion of the family income is given back to God.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
26. Where every family member contributes to the care and keeping of the home.
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).
27. Where families seek the well-being of their neighborhoods and communities.
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7).
28. Where families use their resources to meet the needs of those who are under-resourced.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
29. Where every family member’s unique design is celebrated and utilized.
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5).
30. Where a family uses its home to build other godly homes.
“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
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Trent is the Vice President of Content Development for FamilyLife and speaks frequently with his wife, Andrea, at FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember® marriage getaways. Prior to joining FamilyLife, he planted and pastored Gospel City Church in Granger, IN for 13 years. He and Andrea also spent 15 years as conference speakers with Life Action Ministries. Trent is a graduate of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis. They have four children and live in Orlando, FL.