An instrument of God means that God can use anyone he pleases to accomplish his will, whether he or she is a follower of God (a Christian) or a nonbeliever, a non-follower of Jesus Christ. He can do this because he’s sovereign over all the universe, and he can providentially work in anyone.
What does a man of God mean? Simply that he’s religious or is there more to it?
Do you aspire to not merely be an instrument used by God (which isn’t a bad thing), but a man or woman of God? This seems like a whole new level. How do we get there from where we are?
Perhaps you have met individuals you would refer to as a man of God or woman of God. What makes them that way?
What characterizes a man or woman of God? Let’s summarize many who were described as men of God or women of God in the Bible. Then we can talk about how Jesus, the Son of God, can bring us from here to there.
God called David a man after God’s own heart. What does that mean? It means he desired similar things that God desires. God wants truth in the inward parts. God wants us to be holy for he is holy. God wants us to trust and believe there is only one God, and he has the power, might, and wisdom to save or to help us through anything. Our part is to rely on him, as a young child does his good and kind father. God wants us to grow up learning more and more about him, to obey, love, and enjoy him. He wants us to help others and to testify of him so others might come to know him, too. But the epidemy of all of this is to know him, love him, and glorify him. When we trust God to be our Savior, we have the presence and power of God with us to accomplish anything he desires.
Job (pronounced with a long 0 vowel sound). Job lived such a righteous and reverent life before God, the LORD was impressed. He said to the devil, have you considered my servant Job? He fears the LORD, and turns away from evil (Job 1:2,8, 2:3). He still tried to be faithful even when his friends falsely accused him. Can it be said that we fear the LORD and turn away from evil? If any of us are a man or woman of God, we should be known for this.
Moses. In the book of Exodus, Moses was called the friend of God. He cared about God’s glory and reputation. Do we? When we pray, do we care about that? Then perhaps we are a man or woman of God.
Joshua. Joshua was a fearful warrior but he still did everything God asked him to do when God wanted him to do it — everything. Caleb and Joshua trusted God would help the Israelites defeat the giants in the land of Canaan. They obeyed God and conquered the land and people for their inheritance.
Gideon. Gideon, despite his fear, obeyed God by tearing down idols and leading a small band to attack huge Midianite forces. One with God is a majority. Unfortunately, later Gideon became just an instrument of God, when he allowed a golden ephod (part of a priest’s garment) to be made and worshipped.
An anonymous prophet. To save time, this is all we know about him. In 1Kings 13:1-3 King Jeroboam had been given ten tribes of Israel to rule (the northern kingdom). Because he was fearful they would return to rejoin the southern kingdom during special feast days, he made idols for his tribes to worship. The “Man of God” confronts Jeroboam.
13 And behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the Lord to Bethel. Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings. 2 And the man cried against the altar by the word of the Lord and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’” 3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign that the Lord has spoken: ‘Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.’”
All we know about this man of God is that he prophesied that the altar Jeroboam set up for worship would be destroyed. Jeroboam got mad and God afflicted him with Leprosy. Jeroboam pleaded with him to ask God to heal him, and he did, and then the altar was destroyed. Jeroboam wanted to reward him for healing him, but God wanted him to return and not eat anything. Later on, however, the prophet does accept a dinner invitation, when deceived by an old prophet. For not following God’s original instructions, the younger prophet is killed. Read the rest of the story here.
Daniel. Daniel was also a man of God. He didn’t give in to the culture of his day. He and his friends obeyed God no matter the consequences. He and they prayed boldly and God and answered
Timothy
What about women? If you are a woman, what woman of God do you identify with and why? What makes her so?
Women in the Bible who were women of God
Of course, many would go to Ruth as a woman of God, and they would be right. But what about Rahab? What??? Wasn’t she a…a…a…harlot? Formally. It was probably because of her reputation that the spies were easily accepted into her home. Why was she a woman of God? Because she feared the God of the Israelites.
Hebrews 11:31 says” By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
In the book of James, the Lord’s half-brother, says, “In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?” James 2:25 (NIV) Did you hear that? She was considered righteous! This might give some women hope who have led a rough life and made poor choices. If you believed God, repented, and turned from your sin, God can use you like he can with anyone else. You can read the story here
Here are some other women to consider: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, Miriam the prophetess, Deborah the Judge, Huldah the prophetess, Abigail (who married David), and Esther. Were they instruments in the hand of God or women of God?
Let’s take a closer look at Esther, Deborah, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jesus. Let’s find out what made them women of God.
Esther. Mordecai raised Esther after she lost her parents. As she grew up, she listened to her Uncle Mordecai’s advice. Through unusual circumstances, the queen of Persia, Vashti, was ousted, and Esther became queen. Mordecai asked her to keep her Jewish heritage a secret, because of antisemitism. However, when the Jewish people faced annihilation under the order of Haman, the special counsel to the King, something must be done. Esther couldn’t hide and let her people perish. Esther revealed her nationality and was willing to put it all on the line to plea for the lives of her people. God used Esther for such a time as this.
Deborah. Deborah was a highly respected woman. She was a prophetess and rose to the position of Judge over Israel. She was called a mother of Israel. She was able to recruit volunteers to lead the fight against the Canaanites, Israel’s enemies. Then she composed and sang a song, giving God and the volunteers the glory for overwhelming victories over the Canaanites
Mary Magdalene
Mary the Mother of Jesus
Finally, we should look at Jesus’ example. Here’s the entire context of the conversation Jesus had with his disciples. Matthew 20:17-28, esv.
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time
17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
A Mother’s Request
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[c] 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,[d] 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The disciples understood the words Jesus spoke about being crucified in Jerusalem, but they thought Jesus was just under a lot of stress or having a bad day. He was going to be the king of Israel and they wanted in on it. So, the apostles James and John got their mother to talk to Jesus. She tried to persuade him to let her sons have high-ranking positions in his kingdom.
Jesus asked the two disciples if they were able to drink the same cup as he would. James and John thought it would be a glorious golden cup they would be drinking because they expected Jesus to become the king of the Jews. However, it would not be a glorious cup of celebration but crucifixion.
Jesus had to teach his disciples about true greatness. True greatness comes from being a servant. From this discussion, we will get several ideas about what a servant is so we, too, might pursue being a man or woman of God.
Let’s back up a bit…how do we begin to become a man or woman of God? Interestingly enough, a pharisee unknowingly asked this question of Jesus. 3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus recognized not only that Jesus was a man of God but that he came from God. This is faith. Jesus sees right to the desires of his heart–Nicodemus wants to know God and be assured he’s going to heaven. It’s not enough for him to be a descendant of Abraham or to be a good law-keeping pharisee. To be a man of God starts with being born again.
Born again? What’s that? Surely, Nicodemus says, you can’t mean I have to enter my mother’s womb and be born again!
It’s not that kind of birth, Jesus says. You were born once physically, but you must be born spiritually to see the kingdom of heaven. 16 “For God so loved the world,[i] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:16-18, esv)
Do you want to be a man or woman of God? Do you see that you are spiritually dead, unless you respond to God’s Spirit to turn from your sins to Jesus for salvation? He offers forgiveness, peace, and eternal life to all that respond to his call to be saved (more).
Let’s assume you are saved. That’s the first step. Now what?
You need to follow God. You need to read his Word, know all about him, and do whatever he tells you. Do you need to reconcile with someone? Do it. Do you need to spend more time with him? Then pray, not with your grocery list, but according to his will.
A Man or Woman of God Prays and Relies on God
As Jesus’ disciples, they once asked him to teach them to pray as John the baptizer taught his disciples. Jesus said,
11 Now Jesus[a] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,[b]
4 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
At another time, Jesus says something similar to the crowds following him: “
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.[a]
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,[b]
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,[c]
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.[d]
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Are you following Jesus? Are you doing as the Bible commands? Are you praying for God’s glory? Are you confessing your sins to those you’ve offended and to God? Are you praying and relying on God’s help. You can’t do it alone, you know.
In another place Jesus said
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
A Man or Woman of God is Willing to Suffer for Him
Are we relying on God to help us in life’s struggles? Do you know we will face adversity? Satan will oppose you if you try to be a man or woman of God.
All who live godly lives in Christ Jesus will face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). The Apostle Paul says this to Timothy, a young pastor who gave his life to Christ under Paul’s ministry. Paul calls Timothy a man of God twice in his letters to him. He urged Timothy not to quit because he was facing opposition.
Are you not facing persecution? Perhaps no one knows that you are fully committed to Christ. Perhaps you are not trying to bring people into the kingdom by witnessing what God has done for you. Start today, if you want to become a man or woman of God. Share the messages of God like prophets of old, and be prepared for opposition and suffering. No one enjoys suffering, but if you want to become a man or woman of God, that’s part of it. Do we love Christ or the comforts of the world? If you love the world, you can’t be a disciple of Christ. You can’t be a man or woman of God — it requires a choice. Who will you serve?
A man or woman of God serves
Conclusion: What makes a person a man or woman of God and not just an instrument in his hands?