10 Habits to Strengthen Your Walk with God

As children of God, it’s essential to take time for self-reflection to understand where we are in our spiritual journey and where we’re headed. Having a clear standard to strive for and measure ourselves against is significant as we navigate the one life we’ve been given.

Here are some key habits that every Christian should cultivate. You may find that some of these habits are already a part of your life to varying degrees, depending on your spiritual maturity, knowledge, and commitment to God. However, it’s important to remember that no one has mastered them all. These habits serve as an ideal and provide a role model to guide you as you grow in your faith, no matter where you are in your journey of maturity and responsibility.

What is a habit?

Habit is a recurring unconscious pattern of behavior done through frequent repetition. That is something you do over and over again.

Who is a christian?

The original Greek word for Christian is “Christianos” which comes from the two Greek words “Christ and tian.” The word Christ means “anointed” and tian means “little.” So the word “Christian” literally means “little anointed ones.” 

Jesus Christ is the object of our faith and Jesus Christ is the source of our life. Many people would say “Oh yes, I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ without emulating his lifestyle. Being a Christian is more than believing in Jesus. It is the life of Jesus Christ in you by the Holy Spirit.

What is a Godly life?

This is a life that no longer seeks satisfaction through a sinful lifestyle, but now surrenders to God and His will. 

Developing a habit of living a godly life will involve aligning your thoughts, actions, and character with the principles and teachings of the scriptures. Here are some key habits that can help you cultivate a godly life:

Regular Prayer

This is not the once-in-a-while prayer but make prayer a daily habit, seeking guidance, expressing gratitude, and offering supplications. Have the desire to enjoy His awesome presence. This ought to be a recurring event in your life, not because you need something but because you love God and you are grateful for who He is and for what He is doing in your life.

The truth is we can not live a Christ-like life without a prayer life because we live in a world of temptation, trial, sin, and burdens. The prayer life keeps you connected and sensitive to his will and plans for your life. Regular communication with God deepens your relationship with Him

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 

Study of scriptures and prompt obedience

Devote time to studying and understanding the scriptures and doing what it say. Meditate on the teachings and apply them to your life. This habit can provide insights, moral guidance, and wisdom for making godly choices. Obedience to God’s word sets us apart, It shows that we live above the standard of men and the world. Obedience is also a sign of trust, we trust God to do whatever He says, we may not know the outcome but He is sovereign and all-knowing so we will obey Him.

Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14: 23-24

Trust or faith

Knowing that God is in charge does make the difference. You clearly don’t care about what happens, or why it happened but you know that God is in control because you can trust Him for whatever He allows to happen in life. Trusting in God provides a strong foundation for navigating life’s ups and downs, offering peace, hope, and resilience. Trust in God begins with acknowledging the existence of a higher power. When we recognize the existence of God beyond human comprehension, we tap into a greater source of wisdom and power. This realization encourages a sense of humility and openness to divine guidance. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Total dependence on the Holy Spirit

This means that you surrender your life to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to take absolute control over your life. You will have to rely on Him to guide, empower and direct your life. The Holy Spirit is God’s active presence in the world, providing comfort, guidance, and empowerment to believers and unless we trust Him to entrust our lives we may not get the help we desire.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (John 14:26).

Cultivate Virtues 

Strive to embody virtues such as love, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, humility, honesty, and integrity. Actively practice these virtues in your interactions with others and in your daily life.  Look for opportunities to serve and help others in need. Practicing acts of service and charity not only benefits others but also nurtures your own spirituality.

So, for this very cause, take every care; joining virtue to faith, and knowledge to virtue, 2 Peter 1:5.

Worship and Fellowship 

Regularly participate in worship services, congregational gatherings, or spiritual communities that share your beliefs. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can provide support, encouragement, and opportunities for growth.

 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

Practice Self-Reflection 

Take time for self-reflection and introspection. Assess your thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors, and identify areas where you can improve and grow spiritually. Honest self-evaluation helps you identify shortcomings and work towards becoming a better person Christian. Introspection is a good teacher. It allows you to examine yourself on the inside to see if they do not conform to the world’s systems. It helps us renew our minds daily and allows us to be transformed. 

Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! Lamentation 3:40

Practice Gratitude

Cultivate an attitude of gratitude for the blessings in your life. Regularly express gratitude to God for His provisions, guidance, and grace. This habit helps foster contentment, humility, and a positive outlook.

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

Seek Guidance

Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, God’s word, spiritual leaders, mentors, or trusted individuals who can provide insights and help you navigate challenges on your spiritual journey. Learning from others’ experiences and wisdom can strengthen your faith and aid in your personal growth.

Embrace Forgiveness

Learn to forgive others and yourself. Holding onto grudges or harboring resentment can hinder your spiritual growth. Cultivating forgiveness allows you to experience emotional healing and live in harmony with others.

Remember that cultivating a godly life is a lifelong journey, and it’s normal to have ups and downs along the way. The key is to remain committed, seek God’s guidance, and strive for continual improvement.

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” Matthew 18: 21-22

I pray that we strive to grow and be better than we were.