If you want to be a better Christian, start by embracing these 8 behaviors

Being a Christian is not just about attending church, it’s about embodying the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. And believe me, it’s a journey filled with learning, growing, and changing.

It’s not about perfection, but progression. So, how do you progress and grow deeper in your faith?

Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But I’ve found that there are certain behaviors that can guide us towards becoming better Christians. Coming up next are eight of these behaviors that you might want to embrace.

This isn’t a quick fix, but a process. So buckle up and join me as we explore these eight behaviors which could bring us closer to our faith.

1) Embrace humility

In the journey of becoming a better Christian, humility is paramount.

Why? Because it’s a quality that Jesus himself embodied. He washed the feet of his disciples, a task reserved for servants, showing us that no one is above serving others.

Embracing humility means recognizing that we’re not the center of the universe. It involves putting others first and acknowledging that we don’t know everything.

It’s not about lowering your self-esteem, but about raising your regard for others.

But remember, humility doesn’t mean being a doormat. It’s about valuing others’ needs and feelings as much as our own.

So try to incorporate more humility into your daily life. You might be surprised at how it can deepen your faith and make you a better Christian.

2) Practice forgiveness

If there’s one thing I’ve learned on my faith journey, it’s that forgiveness is key.

Let me share a personal example. A few years ago, I had a falling out with a close friend. Anger and resentment built up, and I found myself avoiding them.

But every Sunday at church, when the concept of forgiveness was preached, I felt a tugging at my heart. I knew what I needed to do but it wasn’t easy.

Finally, one day, I decided to reach out and forgive. It wasn’t about who was right or wrong anymore. It was about letting go of the resentment that was hindering my spiritual growth.

As soon as I forgave, I felt lighter. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. That experience taught me the power of forgiveness and how essential it is to being a better Christian.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or condoning harmful actions, it means choosing to let go of your desire for vengeance and freeing yourself from the cycle of resentment.

So strive to forgive more often. It’s tough, but absolutely worth it.

3) Show kindness

Did you know the term “random acts of kindness” was coined by Anne Herbert in the 1980s? She scribbled “practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty” on a placemat in a restaurant, and it sparked a global movement.

Kindness is more than just being nice. It’s about showing genuine concern for the wellbeing of others. It’s about going out of your way to make someone else’s day better.

As Christians, we’re encouraged to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

This doesn’t mean we have to do grand gestures all the time. Sometimes, the smallest act can make the biggest difference. A smile to a stranger, a helping hand to a neighbor, or even just a listening ear can mean the world to someone.

So make it a point to show more kindness in your everyday life. It’s not just good for others; it’s good for your soul too.

4) Be patient

Patience is a virtue, and for good reason. In a world that moves at breakneck speed, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of taking a moment to breathe, to wait.

In the Bible, patience is often mentioned in relation to faith and hope. It’s about trusting in God’s timing, even when things don’t seem to be going our way.

But patience isn’t just about waiting for things to happen. It’s also about how we behave while we wait. It’s about treating others with respect and understanding, even when they’re testing our limits.

Being patient can be tough, especially in stressful situations. But remember, “a patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” (Proverbs 14:29)

So next time you find yourself growing impatient, take a deep breath and choose patience. It won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it.

5) Love selflessly

At the heart of Christianity is love. Not just any type of love, but selfless love. The kind of love that sacrifices, that gives without expecting anything in return.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Now, we may not be called to literally lay down our lives for others. But we can still strive to love selflessly in our everyday actions. In how we treat our family, our friends, even strangers.

Loving selflessly means putting others’ needs before our own. It means showing care and compassion, even when it’s hard.

It’s about seeing the image of God in everyone we meet and treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Love is more than a feeling; it’s a choice. So let’s choose to love selflessly, as Jesus did. This is one of the most effective ways to become a better Christian and make a positive impact in the world.

6) Seek wisdom

There was a time in my life when I felt lost. I was making decisions based on my emotions, without giving them much thought. It led to some mistakes that I deeply regretted.

That’s when I turned to the book of Proverbs, which is essentially a guidebook on wisdom. It opened my eyes to the importance of seeking wisdom in all aspects of life.

Wisdom is more than just knowledge or intelligence. It’s about understanding and applying God’s principles to our daily lives.

It’s about discerning what is right and wrong, and choosing the right path even when it’s not the easiest.

Seeking wisdom often involves asking hard questions, seeking counsel from others, and spending time in prayer and reflection.

So don’t be afraid to seek wisdom. It’s a lifelong pursuit that can lead to a deeper understanding of God and a more fulfilling life.

7) Serve others

Service is a fundamental aspect of Christianity. Jesus himself said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matthew 20:28)

This doesn’t mean we all need to quit our jobs and start charitable organizations. Serving others can take many forms in our everyday lives.

It could be volunteering at a local soup kitchen, helping a neighbor with their groceries, or simply being there for a friend in need.

Service is about recognizing the needs of others and stepping up to help. It’s about showing God’s love through our actions.

So look for opportunities to serve others. Not only does it help those in need, but it also enriches our own lives and brings us closer to God.

8) Cultivate a personal relationship with God

Above all, being a better Christian is about cultivating a personal relationship with God.

It’s about spending time in prayer, not just asking for things, but also listening for His guidance. It’s about studying His Word and seeking to understand His will for our lives.

This relationship is what fuels all the other behaviors. It gives us the strength to love selflessly, the patience to endure, the wisdom to make right decisions, and the humility to serve others.

So prioritize your relationship with God. Make time for Him in your day. Seek Him in the quiet moments, and invite Him into the chaos of your life.

Remember, He is always there, waiting for you with open arms. All you have to do is reach out.

Final thoughts: A journey of transformation

Being a Christian is more than just a label; it’s a journey of transformation.

This journey is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who embodied virtues like humility, forgiveness, kindness, patience, selfless love, wisdom, service, and a personal relationship with God.

These aren’t just moral codes or guidelines but are the essence of a fulfilling and meaningful Christian life.

Remember the words of Saint Paul in his letter to the Galatians: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

By embracing these behaviors and making them part of our daily lives, we not only become better Christians but also reflect God’s love to those around us.

But remember, it’s not about perfection. It’s about progression. As you strive to embody these eight behaviors, give yourself grace. Celebrate your wins, learn from your mistakes, and keep moving forward.

In the end, it’s not about the destination but the journey toward becoming a better version of ourselves. So take this journey one step at a time. And as you do, you’ll find that the transformation happens not just in your behavior but in your heart as well.