If you want to grow in your Christian faith, say goodbye to these 8 behaviors

Growing as a Christian isn’t just about reading your Bible and going to church – it’s about leaving behind old behaviors that hold you back.

Not all habits are created equal, particularly when it comes to our spiritual growth. Some can be like anchors, weighing us down and preventing us from moving forward in our faith.

If you’re serious about growing in your Christian faith, there are certain behaviors you’ll need to bid farewell to. Here are eight of them that might just be keeping you from becoming the best Christian you can be. Let’s dive in.

1) Neglecting prayer

Prayer is the lifeblood of a Christian’s relationship with God. It’s our direct line of communication, the means by which we express our gratitude, seek guidance, and ask for forgiveness.

Yet, for many, prayer gets pushed to the backburner. We get too busy, too distracted, or simply forget.

Think about it. If you had a close friend, but rarely talked to them or spent time with them, would that relationship flourish? Probably not.

So if you’re serious about growing in your faith, prioritizing regular prayer is a must.

But it’s not just about ticking a box or following a routine. Prayer should be heartfelt and sincere – a genuine conversation with God. So say goodbye to sporadic or routine prayers and hello to a deeper connection with your Heavenly Father.

2) Avoiding accountability

I’ve noticed in my own spiritual journey that it’s easy to fall into a pattern of avoiding accountability. I would justify my actions to myself, saying things like “it’s not really a sin” or “God will understand”.

But in reality, I was just avoiding the discomfort of admitting I was wrong and needed to change.

The truth is, growth often involves discomfort. It requires us to acknowledge our mistakes, ask for forgiveness, and make a conscious effort to do better.

Being accountable and accepting responsibility for our actions is an essential part of our Christian walk. It’s the path towards true repentance, transformation, and ultimately, a stronger connection with God.

So say goodbye to avoidance and hello to accountability. It’s a challenging but necessary step towards spiritual growth.

3) Ignoring the importance of community

In the early Christian church, believers didn’t just gather for weekly worship; they did life together. They ate together, prayed together, and supported each other in times of need.

This sense of community wasn’t just a nice add-on; it was central to their faith. And for good reason.

Studies show that having a supportive community can significantly boost mental health, increase happiness, and even lengthen life expectancy.

In a world where individualism is often prized, it’s easy to forget the value of community. But if we want to grow in our faith, we need to prioritize fostering meaningful relationships with fellow believers.

So say goodbye to going it alone and hello to a fulfilling Christian community. It’s not just good for your faith; it’s good for your health too.

4) Judging others

We’ve all been there. It’s so easy to judge others for their actions, their choices, or even their beliefs. But in doing so, we only create barriers, not bridges.

Jesus himself warned against this in the Bible, saying “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1).

Judging others not only pushes them away, but it also prevents us from seeing our own faults and areas where we need to grow.

So if you’re interested in growing in your faith, say goodbye to passing judgment and hello to understanding and compassion. Remember, we’re all works in progress. Let’s help each other grow rather than tearing each other down.

5) Holding onto grudges

Holding a grudge can feel like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. It’s harmful, not only to our mental health but also to our spiritual growth.

Forgiveness, on the other hand, is a liberating force. It frees us from the chains of bitterness and resentment and allows us to experience the fullness of God’s love.

But let’s be honest, forgiveness is hard. It goes against our instinct of justice – the eye for an eye principle. But then, isn’t that the beauty of Jesus’s teaching? He calls us to a higher standard, one of love, grace, and forgiveness.

So if you want to grow in your faith, it’s time to let go of those grudges you’ve been nursing. Say goodbye to resentment and hello to forgiveness. It might be one of the toughest things you’ll do, but it could also be one of the most rewarding.

6) Living in fear

There was a time in my life when fear ruled my decisions – fear of failure, fear of rejection, even fear of the unknown. It paralyzed me, keeping me from taking risks or stepping out of my comfort zone.

But I’ve learned that faith and fear can’t coexist. The more I leaned into my faith, the less room there was for fear. It wasn’t an overnight change, but a gradual process of replacing fear with trust – trust in God’s plan and His promises.

Fear might feel like a safe option, but it only keeps us stagnant. It’s time to say goodbye to living in fear and hello to walking in faith. Remember, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

7) Pursuing perfection

We live in a society that often equates value with perfection. The perfect job, the perfect family, the perfect faith. But in reality, perfection is a mirage – it’s unattainable and can leave us feeling inadequate and frustrated.

The Bible reminds us that everyone has fallen short and that our value is not based on our performance but on God’s love for us.

So if you’re striving for spiritual growth, it’s time to say goodbye to chasing perfection and hello to embracing grace. Remember, God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, He just wants us to be faithful.

8) Neglecting God’s Word

At the heart of our faith is the Bible. It’s our compass, our guide, our source of comfort and wisdom. Yet, it’s easy to neglect, especially when life gets busy.

But without regular time in God’s Word, we’re like sailors trying to navigate without a compass. We get lost, disoriented, and can even drift away from our faith.

So if you want to grow in your Christian faith, it’s time to say goodbye to sporadic Bible reading and hello to a consistent study of God’s Word. It’s not an option; it’s a necessity.

Final thoughts: It’s a journey

The path to spiritual growth in the Christian faith is not a sprint, but a marathon, filled with ups and downs, victories and setbacks. It’s a journey marked by grace, forgiveness, and transformation.

Remember, it’s not about perfection but progress. Each day is an opportunity to grow closer to God, to shed old behaviors and embrace new ones that align with His teachings.

As the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-14, “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

So as you continue on your spiritual journey, keep pressing on. Embrace the changes, bid farewell to old behaviors and welcome the growth that comes with each step. After all, this isn’t just about changing habits; it’s about becoming more like Christ.

And that’s a journey worth taking.