Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth (commonly known as Jesus Christ). It includes a broad range of denominations and traditions that are united – or divided – by a basic belief in Jesus as God’s son and savior of the world. To be a better Christian is a lifelong process of spiritual growth, becoming more like who we are called to be, following biblical principles and Christ-likeness. This article focuses on ten essential ways to develop this spiritual growth and discusses such issues as how to develop your faith, practice certain essential Christian virtues, engage with our community, and live a life that clearly demonstrates your devotion to the Bible’s teachings. It looks at such disciplines as regular prayer, study of the Bible, participating in fellowship, as well as exercising love and service in everyday mundane life, as a way of living a more Christ-centered life.
1. Pursue Spiritual Growth and an Intimate Relationship with God
Being a better Christian requires pursuing spiritual growth and an intimate relationship with God, which show in specific actions and an altered character. This path calls for deliberate engagement in the spiritual discipline that nurtures maturity and the daily application of biblical wisdom to make our life reflect Jesus Christ more and more. There are ten things people can do to grow in their walk with Christ; the ways in which we can grow a stronger, deeper, more dynamic Christian life — that contribute to more Christ-like living.
2. Cultivate a Continuous Prayer Life
Persevering prayer effectively enhances Christian life by making it possible to have personal conversations with God while developing a closer personal relationship. Prayer is a spiritual practice that allows the believer to worship and praise God, confess sin, glorify God for his grace and mercy, give thanks, and make requests of God. The Bible tells of many times when Jesus prayed, including in the garden of Gethsemane, just before being crucified, and it shows us the fundamental part prayer played in His life and ministry. Praying consistently helps to establish the idea that we are dependent on God, brings relief of anxiety, and gives us spiritual strength to cope with the trials of daily living. The folks who pray are more at peace with themselves and appear to be more sure that they are making the right choice. Regular prayer—formal and spontaneous—is the foundation of spiritual fortitude, maintaining and conforming one’s will to His divine will. It is a primary discipline for the one who would be a better Christian, a straight road for those who desire divine direction and nurture.
3. Engage in Rigorous Biblical Study
Methodical reading of the Bible will reinforce Christian faith by investing you with a background understanding of the character of God, His will, and His plan of Salvation for people. The Bible is the inspired Word of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. For example, 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” A disciplined approach to reading and meditating upon Scripture with a view toward theological reflection enables the reader to come to a deeper understanding of biblical narratives, prophetic pronouncements, wisdom writings, and apostolic instruction. This knowledge enables Christians to discern between truth and error, resist temptation, and build spiritual wisdom. Persons who engage in daily reading of the Bible and in study of its groups will have a stronger theological framework and they will come to a further appreciation for the immutable truth of God. It is essential for spiritual growth and is a form of living according to the principles found in God’s Word.
4. Participate in Fellowship with Other Christians
Christians benefit from being in fellowship with one another in that mutual encouragement, accountability, and opportunities for corporate worship and service promote growth. Christian living is not to be done in solitude; you are members of a body, the Church. For instance, in Hebrews 10:24-25 we are urged to “spur each other on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” This sense of community provides the Christian with a place where he can have support from one another, a shoulder to lean on, encouragement, advice, and shared spirituality from fellow solidarity Christians. Both attending church services, small groups, as well as community outreach programs lead to strong relationships and shared values. These are practical and tangible instances of faith in practice, and opportunities to operate in spiritual gifts. Fellowship enables people to apply biblical truth in a resonant community and experience growth in their spiritual life at an accelerated rate.
5. Practice Love and Compassion
Love and compassion are virtues that make the Christian character like the character of God, which is love itself. Jesus summed up the law as love of God and neighbor: “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” One such passage is found in John 13:34-35, when Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This kind of love is called agape love, and it is selfless and sacrificial and unconditional. It’s not just a matter of personal preference but something for everyone, even people you find hard to love. Compassion means that we are capable of recognizing other people’s suffering and can have an emotional and physical response to do something about it. Scattering kindness, forgiveness, and generosity to family, friends, and strangers alike shapes who we are. They break down defenses and enable the Holy Spirit to produce graces we might focus on such as patience, kindness, and goodness. Applying love and compassion on a regular basis is a strong measure of spiritual maturity and is essential to being a more effective Christian.
6. Serve Others Christ-like
Service is the hallmark of great leaders with Christ-like attitudes, and it is an outward expression of Christian faith and humility. “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) This servant leader principle is fundamental to Christian discipleship. Service could come in a lot of different ways, whether that is serving in your church or serving those in need in your community or being a good neighbor by lending a hand. Acts of service might include feeding the sick, attending to the elderly, working with orphans, or bringing aid in times of disaster. This is complete and total self-sacrificing love and selflessness to meet another’s needs over one’s own. Christians demonstrate the compassion of Christ and become God’s tools of grace in the world through service. Regularly serving others helps a person to have a spirit of humbleness, gratefulness, and empathy, which is no doubt one of the tools we need if we were to grow into being a better Christian.
7. Embrace Humility and Repentance
The development of the spirit in practicing humility and repentance is attained by bringing the heart of the man into harmony with the mind of God, and by complete submission of his nature to the will of the divine governor, thus recognizing the utter dependence of humanity upon the grace of the divine. Humility is the awareness of one’s own insufficiency and inability, and that all sweet blessings come from God. Repentance is when you change your mind and heart from one way to another so as to turn from sin to God. For example, 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” This is a real sorrow for sin and resolve not to sin again. Frequent self-examination and confession are necessary to preserve a pure conscience, and an open face towards God. Humility eliminates any spiritual pride and allows the grace of God to exert itself in power in the life of a Christian. Once those who have sinned, repent, they are numbered back with the righteous (right standing with God), and can continue to be refined for the things of the Lord. For a Christian who desires to defeat sin, these are two foundational virtues.
8. Practice Forgiveness in Relationships
Forgiveness can improve relationships among Christians by removing bitterness, encouraging reconciliation, and modeling God’s grace. “Seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22) is what Jesus instructed the disciples on forgiveness; He meant it to be boundless. Forgiveness is not about removing memory loss of an offense but extending forgiveness is a conscious choice of canceling an emotional debt for the good and choosing to no longer feel resentment. This is true of forgiving others and of accepting forgiveness from God. Somewhere along the continuum of human experience the willingness to forgive acts like an adhesive for healing wounds and fortifying connections, in families, churches, friends confronting the damage of laying this most universal of hurts bare. It eradicates barriers to authentic connection, and it affords the possibility for love to thrive. Grudges are shackles which prevent spiritual growth, decimate our beings and our connections with others. In forgiving one another, Christians mirror the mercy they’ve received from God, leading toward better, more loving relationships within their church and in their personal lives. And this is a powerful testament to the redeeming power of faith.
9. Cultivate Discipline and Self-Control
The cultivation of self-control and discipline is of vital necessity in Christian growth, for the ability to control one’s desires, deeds, and thoughts in accordance to the teachings of the Bible marks the level of one’s spiritual maturity. Self-Control is a fruit of the Spirit and it speaks of being led by the Spirit and not being driven by what the world wants. For instance, in Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit includes “self-control.” It also means regular and consistent spiritual discipline in the area of prayer, fasting, Bible study, and in the exercise of good habits. This involves stewarding our time, money, and bodies in a God-honoring way. Developing Self-Control is the power to resist temptation and keep oneself pure and righteous. It’s choosing what God wants, even when we don’t feel like it. Disciplined Christian living results in increased spiritual stability, ministry effectiveness, and consistency in one’s relationship with God. This deliberate cultivation of discipline is the sign of a growing Christian.
10. Share the Gospel with Others
It fulfills a Christian responsibility of spreading the Gospel (Jesus’ Great Commission) by reaching the lost and making disciples of all nations. This means to preach the gospel, Jesus Christ the Savior, to a people that has not received or listened to it. To the contrary, passages such as Matthew 28:19-20 tell believers to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” The Gospel can be shared by way of example, by testimony, or through dynamic evangelism. It is expressing the essence of the message of sin, repentance, faith in Christ, and eternal life. Such sharing is not only an obligation, it is an act of love, hoping that others also experience the same hope and redemption found in Christ. Participating in evangelism builds our own faith, illuminates the biblical truths, and enlarges the kingdom of God. It’s a crucial part of becoming a better Christian, and of participating actively in God’s redemptive works.
Live According to Truth and in Integrity
Living this kind of integrity and honesty in life reinforces Christian witness in showing the new possibility and powers of faith in everyday human behavior. Integrity is being whole, undivided, consistent in your value system and care, when you are observed and when you are not. Honesty is said to speak truth and to act in truth at all times. For instance: Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the honest keeps them straight, but the treachery of the faithless will destroy.” When Christians are busy living upright lives at work, at home and in their neighborhood, their faith has that ring of authenticity. This consists of fulfilling promises, discharging debts, eschewing treachery, and rendering justice. It is a life that builds trust and credibility, thus rendering the message of Christ more persuasive to others. On the other hand, hypocrisy and duplicity can destroy a Christian’s witness and dishonor the faith. A trustworthy, honest life is a strong way to be a better Christian; it mirrors God and draws others to Him by our living real.
What Are the Essentials to the Christian Faith?
Core Doctrines
There is no single and formal doctrine of Christianity. The following are the core doctrines that define the fundamental beliefs of Christianity:
- Belief in God as a Trinity, consisting of Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.
- The Bible as the inspired word of God.
- The sinful nature of man, whose fall is caused by the sin of humanity.
- Jesus Christ as the atoning sacrifice.
- The literal resurrection of Jesus from the dead and the hope of eternal life for all who believe.
Here we have the cornerstones of Christian belief, doctrine, and practice, and a basis for understanding God’s interaction with mankind and the way to salvation.
How Does a Christian Come to Possess Spiritual Discernment?
Spiritual discernment comes to a Christian through prayer and meditation and facilitation by the Holy Spirit. It is the ability to discern truth from falsehood, good from evil, and to distinguish the things of God from the desires of man.
What Is the Christian’s Relationship with Suffering?
Pain is very active in a Christian’s life: It refines our character, drives us to deeper hunger for God, and offers us opportunities to encounter God’s comfort and to demonstrate to others our faith in Him. It has the potential to make us grow in spiritual maturity and empathy.
How Can We Be Victorious in Temptation?
A Christian can resist temptation by acknowledging and being aware of its origin, depending on God’s strength through prayer, meditating on Scripture for direction, fleeing temptation, and being accountable to other believers. The Holy Spirit is power to overcome.
What Are the Benefits of Fasting as a Christian?
The spiritual benefits of fasting for a Christian are to become closer to God, to seek God’s will, for spiritual breakthroughs, to experience spiritual discipline, to learn self-control, and to gain clarity on God’s will. It is a spiritual discipline in favor of spiritual over bodily needs.
How Can a Christian Bring Glory to God in His Everyday Life?
A Christian normalizes God living, by obediently walking in all His statutes, by imitating the character of Christ through love and service, by serving with their gifts for His glory and His Kingdom, and by recognizing Him in all their accomplishments and blessings. And it’s in actions, attitudes, and in words.
