8 Essential Lifestyle Practices for Personal Growth

So often believers look to sources outside of Scripture to find principles to live by. Some of these resources can be helpful, but almost always they’re incomplete because they don’t take into account a Biblical worldview. One of the powerful things about the Bible is that when we apply its truths to our lives, it actually works. The Scripture is life and truth and it gives us clarity as to how we are to govern our lives in this age. 

 I encourage you to consider Peter’s words below and make these practices a regular part of your life. If we will practice these things our lives will be fruitful and we will grow in the knowledge of Jesus. 

2Pe 1:5  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Diligence

This is the opposite of laziness and apathy. In context, living diligently is showing effort in our faith. Employing our energy God-ward with determined focus over time will cause us to grow. Growth doesn’t happen inevitably. Laziness never brings reward, but ultimately ruin.

Virtue

Truly virtuous people are becoming more and more rare because moral excellence is hard to find in our day. Most people are accustomed to compromise and cutting corners. Lock into biblical values and stick to them no matter the cost. The treasure of virtue cannot be understated.

Knowledge

Becoming a life long learner is essential to growth. The older I get, the more I realize there is so much I do not know. Employing our hearts to knowledge and understanding, not simply spouting unfounded opinions, will go a long way in causing us to mature. 

Self Control

Mastering our desires and passions is critical to maturity. Thankfully self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. His leadership guiding us out of lusts and into discipline is essential. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas of self-control you can grow in and then ask Him to help you in those areas.

Perseverance

Another word for perseverance is endurance. We all have need for endurance. God helps us grow in endurance through allowing us to go through trials (James 1:2-4). Maturity is when we stay faithful through difficulties and trials. How often have people quit in difficulty only to miss the reward of endurance they would have received if they had stood firm through the trial!

Godliness

In this context, reverence is what’s meant by godliness. It is carrying yourself with an attitude of holy awe. There’s a place for much fun and laughter in life, however in our day many live shallowly irreverent lives, without any care for the seriousness of the times or urgency of the hour. Reverence keeps you mindful of the eternal even at rest and play.

Kindness

Emotional gentleness is a rare trait in this hour of social outrage. Social media has removed civility from many conversations. Finding a genuinely kind person is a treasure. The call to gentleness is continual throughout the Bible. The second trait of love is kindness. I encourage you to be that rare person who treats people with gentle kindness.

Love

Ultimately living by and for love is the whole of this life. To be known for love is a huge undertaking and the greatest epitaph. Let all you do be done by and for love and you will ultimately come to a depth in the knowledge of Jesus, the One who is love itself.   

I hope this is helpful for you. I am taking inventory of these very things in my own life and asking the Lord to help me grow in these areas. I encourage you to do the same!