How to Live a Wholesome Christian Life

Living a Christian lifestyle means walking your talk.

Jesus and the early Christian leaders taught that believers must live a moral and wholesome life following their conversion. A changed life that includes Christian virtues provides one sign of a true believer. The Bible holds many clues as to what behaviors and character traits manifest in the Christian life. In Matthew 7:15-23, Jesus says to judge people by the fruits their life produces rather than by their words. This means you will see specific fruits that identify your life as Christian.

Instructions

1. Exhibit a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, demonstrated by praying, reading the Bible and meditating on what you read there. Study the Bible to learn how to stay clean and not wander from the path. Psalm 119 provides an abundance of advice to the Christian desiring to live a wholesome life. including rejoice in God, delight yourself in God's law, live with humility and concern for others, testify to God's goodness, seek godly counsel and follow it and allow God to order your steps.

2. Look for the fruits of the spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23. These fruits include "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Open your life and your heart to demonstrate these characteristics each day.

3. Treat others as you want to be treated, according to Matthew 7:12. Appraise how you deal with others and ensure that your actions demonstrate the same behaviors you wish to receive. Show concern about the welfare of others and their spiritual condition. Share your faith and give them the opportunity to know your Jesus, just as someone shared with you. Walk your talk.

4. Avoid temptation and the activities that led you to sin prior to your conversion. Proverbs 16:17 counsels believers to stay away from evil and 1 Thessalonians 5:22 counsels Christians to abstain from the appearance of evil. This includes avoiding "being sexually unfaithful, not being pure, taking part in sexual sins, worshiping gods, doing witchcraft, hating, making trouble, being jealous, being angry, being selfish, making people angry with each other, causing divisions among people, feeling envy, being drunk, having wild and wasteful parties, and doing other things like these," according to Galatians 5:19-21.

5. Spend time with other Christians, according to Hebrews 10:25. This advice also appears in Psalm 119:63. Joining with other Christians helps you stay strong in your desire to live a godly life. Support their walk and they will support yours.

References

• Bible Gateway: Matthew 7:12-23; New Century Version; Thomas Nelson; 2005
• Bible Gateway: Psalm 119; New Century Version; Thomas Nelson; 2005
• Bible Gateway: Galatians 5:19-23; New Century Version; Thomas Nelson; 2005
• Bible Gateway: Proverbs 16:17; New Century Version; Thomas Nelson; 2005
• Bible Gateway: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-26; New Century Version; Thomas Nelson; 2005
• Bible Gateway: Hebrews 10:25; New Century Version; Thomas Nelson; 2005