One Trait at a Time: Guard Your Heart to Grow in Christlikeness

Wisdom Scripture

Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Wisdom Quote

The wise are not the intelligentsia of Israelite society, but, as the Book of Proverbs makes clear, they were those whose lives were characterized by understanding, patience, diligence, trustworthiness, self-control, modesty, and similar virtues.[1]

[1] Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. “Wisdom, Wisdom Literature.” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. 1988: 2149–2150. Print.

Guard Your Heart to Grow in Christlikeness

The heart includes your will and your emotions. The Bible exhorts us in Proverbs, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).

Everything flows from your heart, including your growth to become more like Jesus.

The power lies in aligning your will and your emotions. Don’t be half-hearted. Willpower without emotion leads to legalism. Emotion without willpower sinks into sentimentalism. But a wholehearted combination of will and emotion produces transformation through the Spirit’s power.

Jesus Christ offers you an abundant life (John 10:10). Most of us want to become the people God calls us to be. You do not have to be the person who yells at her kids, the guy who blows up in rage, or someone crippled by anxiety, addiction, or loneliness. You do not have to leave your Bible unread. You don’t have to hold on to grudges and refuse to forgive.

By the power of his Spirit, God transforms you into someone increasingly full of love, joy, and peace. You can become more like Jesus Christ, our ultimate model.

In God’s power, with a clear focus on the character trait you want to change and passionate determination to pursue it, you can change as you implement a robust plan.

Remember, Paul advised his young coworker Timothy, “Train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7).

You are transformed by the Spirit of God. Practicing spiritual disciplines is like unfurling the sail on your boat to receive the wind of the Spirit, who moves you toward the destination of Christlikeness.

You access God’s power when you ask him to empower you to pursue your intention. He is the one to whom we pray for the power to change.