Nobody wants to be called a “do-gooder.” Like the name suggests, a do-gooder is a person who does good things. However, the good things a do-gooder does are often not as helpful as they’d like them to be. Their actions are often ineffective, pointless, or even just downright annoying. Even worse than being called a do-gooder is being called a “goody-goody” or a “goody two-shoes,” which implies that you do good things just to please those in authority and that you look down upon those who are not as good as you.

The Bible calls Christians to be good, to do good. In fact, goodness is one of nine attributes listed in the Fruit of the Spirit, the characteristics of the person who is filled with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). But what does it look like to practice goodness according to Scripture, and how can we avoid earning these monikers as a result of our good deeds?

First, it’s important to remember that nobody is naturally good. There are many out there who profess that all human beings are inherently good; we just sometimes make bad choices. But we know from God’s Word that this is not the case. Ever since the Fall, every single person who has ever lived has had a sin nature. That sin nature corrupted us, made us unclean, turned our seemingly good deeds into nothing more than dirty rags (Isaiah 64:6). Every good thing we have in our life is from God because He alone is fully good (Mark 10:18, James 1:17). Even our salvation does not stem from our own righteous deeds but from His mercy (Titus 3:5). As a very wise biblical author once wrote,

“Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” Ecclesiastes 7:20, ESV

We are not naturally or inherently good. And yet God still empowers us to be good people, to live good lives. We have a good Savior, Jesus Christ, who was wholly without sin and who spent His time on this earth doing good to those around Him, that we can imitate (Acts 10:38). Additionally, we have the Holy Spirit who lives within us and empowers us to practice the good works we were created to do (Ephesians 2:10).

The Bible calls us to turn away from evil and do what is good (Psalm 34:14, 37:3; Romans 12:21; 3 John 11). But what does it actually look like to do good, to practice goodness? Well, when we examine what the Scriptures have to say on this topic, we find that doing good involves doing things that truly benefit others. Goodness looks like doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly (Micah 6:8). It looks like sharing what you have with others who are in need (Titus 3:14, Hebrews 13:16). It looks like not seeking revenge against your enemies but instead loving them and lending to them without expecting anything in return (Luke 6:35, 1 Thessalonians 5:15). It looks like instructing other believers and even confronting them about sins in their lives (Romans 15:14).

Doing what is good is not for our own personal benefit. And ultimately, it’s not about doing nice things for other people, either. The purpose of doing good is to give glory to God—to honor and worship Him through our actions and to point others to the good, holy, and righteous God we serve (Matthew 5:16). Practicing goodness is not always an easy task. It requires us to put away our pride and put others before ourselves. And there may been times when those we try to be good to reject our efforts. But when we remember that doing good is all about pleasing God and bringing Him glory, we can be faithful and not grow weary in this important task (2 Thessalonians 3:13).

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10

As followers of Christ, we are called to do what is good. We are called to obey God’s Word in response to His grace and mercy, and we are called to share this grace and mercy to others through our good works. Yet, even with the best intentions and the purest of hearts, we may still be called a do-gooder, a goody-goody, a goody two-shoes, or perhaps even more popular in the Christian world, holier than thou. Despite this, we must persevere in doing good and glorifying God in every word and thought and deed.

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,” 2 Thessalonians 1:11