The Missing Practice of Cultivating Virtue
Children and students are often taught “character traits” when they’re in preschool, away at camp, through various children’s books, on sports teams, etc. But once they move on to other activities, the idea of having good character (having virtues, moral excellence, or good conduct) can begin to fade until they get in trouble for something blatant such as lying or cheating. This is because budding virtues must be maintained over time.
As an adult Christian who has the benefit of time and experience, it’s natural to think “of course I have good character,” but that doesn’t mean you’ve set your mind on any particular Biblical virtues lately. Other than the trendy phrase “virtue signaling” (claiming a virtue in order to gain status) the act of “becoming virtuous” is not something you hear much about in the media or even in everyday conversation.
Yet, according to the Bible, pursuit of virtue is the next item of action after placing your faith in Christ (2 Pet. 1:5). If godliness is that high on the list in the Bible, it’s a needed priority in the lives of modern Christians.
Just a few Examples of Virtues
- Contentment
- Meekness
- Chivalry
- Long-suffering
- Tact
- Self-control
Some Benefits of Cultivating Virtues
Having Virtues Improves Your Mental Health
- Meditating upon virtues will improve your thought-life and bring you closer to God (Phil. 4:8-9)
- Virtues are compatible with Truth (Titus 1:1)
Having Virtues Advances Your Freedom
- Being a person of virtue protects you from lustful desires and corrupted behaviors, and makes you a more loving person (1 Cor. 13:4-6, 2 Pet. 1:2-4)
- Virtue (godliness) is the only thing you take with you once you die (1 Tim. 6:6-7)
Having Virtues Honors God’s Design for You as Male & Female
- Seeking to be a virtuous spouse will improve your marriage (1 Cor. 7:4-5, Eph. 5:33)
- A virtuous leader/man aims: for a peaceable life, to pray without doubting, to rule his home well, not to be greedy, and to be a faithful man (Josh. 24:15, 1 Tim. 2, Titus 1)
- A virtuous wife/woman is seen as: valuable, trustworthy, good, hard-working, strong, generous, hopeful, worshipful, and devoted to God and His people (Ruth 3:11, Prov. 31:10-31, 1 Pet. 3:4)
Having Virtues Increases Christlikeness
- Becoming sincerely virtuous makes you a partaker of the character of Jesus (1 Pet. 1:15, 2 Pet. 1:2-4)
- Having virtues keeps your spirit connected to the Holy Spirit within you so that you live fruitfully according to your salvation and His kingdom (2 Pet. 1:5-11)
Having Virtues Draws People to You
- Increasing in virtue enables you to be productive and effective (2 Pet. 1:5-8)
- Creating a virtuous atmosphere can have a calming effect for others (Titus 1:5-8)
- Being fruitful in virtues enables you to move away from childishness and to flourish in old age (Ps. 92:12-14, 1 Cor. 13:11)
A Few Resources & Ideas for Cultivating Virtues
Important Note
Seeking to revive virtuousness is not a call to become a moralist who attempts to build character by his own strength and for his own status. In order to avoid setting yourself up to fail, ask the Spirit of Jesus to mature you into godliness for His uses. The following suggestions can help you (and your children) get started on a lifelong path of virtuousness:
Book of Proverbs
- Read one Proverb every day and notice the Spirit’s gentle conviction regarding certain virtues
- Do various word studies in the book of Proverbs, focusing especially on words of virtue
- Memorize portions of Proverbs that speak to your areas of weakness and sin
- Illustrate the Proverbs
The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
- From this classic book, read the same prayer of your choice daily for a set period of time in order to grow in a certain character trait
- Write out these prayers as another way to get them into your mind and heart
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney
- Read only one chapter of Spiritual Disciplines per month, giving yourself time to absorb the concepts and make them a part of your being before you move on to the next chapter
- Find a partner for accountability
- Ask your heavenly Father to show you where you’re weak in virtue and lean on His power to become more virtuous
1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, James, 1 & 2 Peter
- Read these books of the Bible back-to-back, underlining or making a list of all the virtues mentioned as important to attain
- Look up the meaning of any words you’re unsure of and consider which ones the Holy Spirit wants to grow further in you
- Ask a friend or family member to provide examples of times they’ve seen you honorably display virtues
- Boldly ask your inner circle which virtues they would like to see more of in you
- Keep praying through your daily Scripture reading so that it can make you more virtuous
Books written by others who highly esteem honor, character, and virtue
Explore possibly reading The Hero Code, just published today
Prayer & Blessing
“…exercise yourself towards godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (1 Tim. 4:6-8)
With hope,
Jen
Jen Hughes
I hope this blog article is a helpful resource for you as you draw closer to Jesus through various situations and seasons of your life.
May you discover the rich fulfillment and growth the Lord can bring even when, or especially when, life is most challenging.