8 Core Christian Values That Mark the Lives of Believers
“Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard for us.” 1 John 5:3 NIV
The way we live our everyday lives exposes what we value. Values are principles we live by; they influence the way we act and how we perceive the world around us. God’s call on our lives is to value Him above all else. Scripture is full of rich wisdom which helps us to develop foundational values from the inside out. Everyone comes to the Father through the Son, Christ Jesus. As we follow His lead, the Holy Spirit of God living in us is faithful to establish Christ-centered values and build a life that exudes the will and purpose of God.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 NIV
Christian is a term used to describe those of us who have given our lives to Christ Jesus. Following Christ means the things we value are centered around Him. Jesus is the Living Word of God. Scripture is overflowing with wisdom and knowledge. When we diligently seek God in His Word, we unlock the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to activate the Word of God in us. The Bible is alive and active, and always relevant to our lives.
So what exactly are Christian values? Let's take a look at 8 core Christian values highlighted in Scripture followed by several Old Testament and New Testament Bible passages that outline a few more for us to guide our thoughts, words, and actions
8 Core Christian Values
Love
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
Jesus coming to earth to rescue us is the greatest love story of all time. The Father’s love for us is perfect, just, merciful, and full of compassion. Because of who He is, and Whose we are, love is the greatest of all Christian values. Love is the foremost Christian value, encompassing love for God, love for oneself, and love for others, including enemies. This value is central to Christian ethics, reflecting God's unconditional love for humanity and the call for believers to emulate this love in their interactions. Matthew 22:36-40 says:
“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love you neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these tow commandments.” (NIV)
Obedience
“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it- not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it- they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:25 NIV
God doesn’t expect us to obey Him in a legalistic manner, as if we will be in trouble if we don’t, or gain something if we do. The Christian value of obedience is rooted in love for the Lord. Our obedience is evidence of our love for Him, and our hearts matter more to the Father than anything else. Kindness, goodness, and many other Christian values are rooted in obedience.
Faithfulness
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV
God created us to crave Him. We were designed to put Him first in our lives. Faithfulness, loyalty to Him, is an important value found through the entirety of the Bible. There are many stories of God’s people falling by the wayside, worshiping other idols, and becoming distracted by the pursuits of the world around them. We are no different. Patience and perseverance, and many other Christian values, are rooted in faithfulness.
Forgiveness
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13
Forgiveness is a crucial aspect and value of the Christian life, reflecting the belief in mercy and redemption through Jesus Christ. Forgiveness in Christianity is really all about letting go of grudges and choosing to forgive people who have wronged us, just like God forgives us for the mistakes we make. It's a big deal in the Christian faith because it's not just about saying "It's okay" when someone says sorry. It's deeper than that. It's about showing the same kind of mercy and kindness to others that God shows us through Jesus Christ.
Patience
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12
Patience is the ability to endure difficult circumstances, delays, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. God desires for us to grow in patience and to allow the time of waiting to draw us closer to Him. It reflects trust in God’s timing and faithfulness in all aspects of life.
Humility
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” James 4:6 NIV
God continually gives us grace for our sins, opportunities to confess and repent sin, and made a way through Jesus for us to come to Him freely. There is nothing we can do to outrun the love of God. For this reason, we are called to live with humility, paying the grace we receive forward to others.
Kindness
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
It can see like we are surrounded by hate and meanness in the world. One of the main ways Christians are to be set apart is by their kindness and goodness. Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Christian kindness is motivated by love and is a reflection of God's kindness towards humanity. It encompasses actions meant to benefit others, including those who may not be able to reciprocate.
Self-Control
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
Self-control is the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses. As a Christian value, self-control is considered a fruit of the Spirit, which helps believers live in a way that honors God and respects others. Think of self-control like the steering wheel of a car. Just as you use the steering wheel to keep the car on the road, especially when it's slippery or there are lots of turns, self-control helps you navigate through life without veering off into trouble. It's about being in charge of your feelings, your thoughts, and the things you do, even when you're tempted to do something you know you shouldn't.
List of Christian Values in The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20, were spoken by the Lord and received by Moses on two stone tablets. The laws of the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments being the most recognizable, were impossible for God’s people to follow. Here is a condensed version of the Ten Commandments.
“1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make idols.
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.”
Jesus came, not to replace the laws of the Old Testament, but to fulfill them. Though we no longer need to offer sacrifices to God in order to stand in His presence, Scripture is still useful in helping us to create our core values. God knows what is best for us. When we aim to obey Him, we are following His will for our lives …which is good!
Christian Values in the Book of Proverbs
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”Proverbs 3:5 NIV
The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, known to have been one of the wisest men to have lived on earth. Son of King David, the notes of wisdom found in the book of Proverbs can be relevantly applied to our lives today, and used as foundational blocks in the formation of Christian values. Here are just a few notes of wisdom from Proverbs:
- “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NIV
- “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 NIV
- “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
- “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Jesus' Teaches Values in the Beatitudes
The Beatitudes launched the famous Sermon on the Mount, which Jesus preached to a large crowd gathered to hear Him. In this rich piece of Scripture, we find the kind of people who live their everyday lives with Christian values. We, as Christ-followers, operate in these virtues not by our own strength, but by the obedient submission of the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glade, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:3-12 NIV)
Understanding the Gifts of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit resides in every Christ follower. From the minute we submit our lives to Jesus as Lord, the Spirit begins to mold our hearts with holiness. The apostle Paul recorded:
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25 NIV
The gifts are the Spirit are free for us to receive, and cannot be snatched from us. Though the enemy can distract us, and his intent is to steal, kill and destroy us, he does not have the power to strip our souls of the Spirit of God.
Values from other New Testament Books
Christian values continue to flow from the pages of the New Testament. The fruit of following the Ten Commandments to the best of our ability and allowing the Beatitudes and other passages of Scripture to lead our lives, allows the Lord to bring into the light the people we were always created to be. Jesus makes up for all of the ways we fail and fall short when we come to the Father through Him. James, Jesus' earthly half-brother, wrote:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” - James 1:2-3 NIV
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV
The author of Hebrews wrote:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV
And Paul wrote to the Philippians: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own self-interests but each of you to the interests of others.: Philippians 2:3 NIV
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transience all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7 NIV
There are many other Christian values Scripture highlights, in addition to love, humility, faithfulness, and obedience. Hopefully, in reading through these Scriptures today, we are inspired to seek more from the alive and active Word of God. As we wrap up our exploration of Christian values, it's clear that these principles are much more than ancient words on a page; they are a compass for living a life that is rich in meaning, purpose, and compassion.
Whether it's love, humility, faithfulness, obedience, or the myriad other virtues we find in Scripture, each one invites us into a deeper relationship with God and with those around us. Embracing these values challenges us to grow, to stretch beyond our comfort zones, and to reflect the light of Christ in every corner of our lives. Let's carry forward the inspiration we've gleaned from the alive and active Word of God, allowing it to shape our actions and our interactions. In doing so, we don't just read about values—we live them out, creating ripples of positive change in our communities and in the world. As we continue on our journey, may we always seek the guidance of Scripture, finding in its depths the wisdom and strength to live out our faith with courage and grace.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
Originally published January 10, 2022.
