Introduction
Men don’t always say what they mean. Right, ladies? Sometimes, it feels like you need a translator. For example, when a man says, “It would take too long to explain,” he probably means, “I have no idea what I’m talking about.” Or when he says, “Take a break, Honey, you’re working too hard,” he might mean, “Turn off the vacuum cleaner, I can’t hear the TV.” And when he says, “That’s not what I meant,” it usually means, “If it can be interpreted two ways, and one way makes you angry, I meant the other one.”
There’s a saying: “Anyone can father a child, but it takes someone special to be a dad.” It takes a strong, humble man to be a good role model. Think about your father, or how you parent, or how your children parent. Do you see good fathers when you look at them? Are there godly characteristics visible?
As a father, did you or do you strive to resemble our heavenly Father? The Marine Corps’ recruiting slogan used to be, “Looking for a few good men!” It wasn’t as though a man already met this standard. The recruit was willing to go through whatever it took to be molded into one of those “few good men.” To be a Marine, you have to learn self-discipline, submission to authority, commitment, endurance, loyalty, and integrity. In reality, those are qualities that should be in all men. Sadly, it ends up being just a few men that have those qualities.
Psalm 15: The Blueprint of a Good Man
Today is Father’s Day. We’re going to talk about qualities of good men. To be a good father, you must be a good man. God is “looking for good men.” Proverbs 20:6 says, “Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?” In Ecclesiastes 7:27-28, Solomon said he was only able to find one in a thousand and concluded, “Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.”
What are the qualities of a good man and a good father? How do you acquire those qualities in your own life so that you may be the “one in a thousand?” We’re looking at Psalm 15 this morning to see what it takes to become a “good man.”
Psalm 15 (Contemporary English Version): “Who may stay in God’s temple or live on the holy mountain? Only those who obey God and do as they should. They speak the truth and don’t spread gossip; they treat others fairly and don’t say cruel things. They hate worthless people but show respect for all who worship the Lord. And they keep their promises, no matter what the cost. They lend their money without charging interest, and they don’t take bribes to hurt the innocent. Those who do these things will always stand firm.”
Integrity, Righteousness, and Truth
David wrote this Psalm to remind worshippers of the true nature of worship as seen in the character of those coming to worship. It was also written because of the great concern caused by the first attempt to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, as recounted in 2 Samuel 6. God had a standard for those who would come to worship Him, and Psalm 15 lays out these standards in terms of personal character.
1. Walk Blamelessly
Psalm 15:2 describes the man who can come to worship God by giving three general characteristics: He lives blamelessly, works righteousness, and speaks truth from the heart. Walking in integrity means being complete in moral conduct, being decent, moral, sincere, honest, honorable, and respectable. For Christians, integrity is best described in 1 John 2:6: “The one who says he remains in Him (in Jesus) should walk just as He walked.” Are you living like Jesus did?
2. Practice Righteousness
Practicing righteousness is a natural outflow of walking blamelessly. It means doing what is right all the time, showing a man’s faith that is alive because he puts it into practice. Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Men walking with integrity will show righteousness.
3. Speak Truth from the Heart
The third characteristic is a revelation of what’s in a man’s heart. “What comes out of his mouth reveals what’s in a person’s heart.” James 3:2 says, “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.” A man of blameless conduct speaks truth because it’s in his heart. Ephesians 4:15 says, “But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ.” A man with integrity will speak the truth.
Avoiding Specific Sins
Psalm 15:3 gives specific sins to be avoided. A good man will refuse to slander others, harm his neighbors, or speak evil of his friends. As a believer, do you refrain from using your mouth to defame others? Slander includes character assassination, cheap shots, innuendos, and saying things to build yourself up by tearing down others. Gossip and slander are related because gossip that contains falsehood is slander. Proverbs 16:28 says slander separates intimate friends, and Proverbs 10:18 says those who spread it are fools.
Honoring Those Who Fear the Lord
Psalm 15:4 states, “In whose eyes a vile person is despised; but he honors those who fear the Lord.” This speaks of a person who prefers evil to good. David wrote in Psalm 101:3-5, “I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all crooked dealings; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride.” The character of a good man is seen in how he keeps his promises and his response to the poor.
Stand Firm
Psalm 15:5 concludes, “The one who does these things will never be shaken.” The good man will stand firm and be unmovable. God is looking for good men. Are you one of them? If not, are you willing to become one? It can only happen by first, humbly submitting yourself to the Lord, and secondly, by standing up firmly and without compromising, carrying out the Lord’s will by walking with integrity, doing works of righteousness, and speaking words of truth from the heart.
Invitation
God is calling each of us to be good men and women, to stand firm in our faith and character. Let's commit to walking in integrity, practicing righteousness, and speaking the truth from our hearts. In doing so, we will become the good men and women God desires us to be. Amen.
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