5 Christian Principles That Can Improve Your Life — Regardless of Your Beliefs
Religious or not — the right principles can increase your chance of happiness and success.
“All scripture is inspired by God and can profitably be used . . . for guiding people’s lives.” — 2 TIMOTHY 3:16, The Jerusalem Bible.
Bookstores have whole sections filled with shelves of self-help books on every subject. There is also a large section with various bibles and Christian-based publications as well as other religious and devotional literature. What does this prove? People are looking for answers to how to have a better life…
Even if you’re not particularly religious or weren’t raised in a Christian-based culture, the practical wisdom found in biblical principles is still worth investigating. Why? Because they work.
But you don’t need to take my word for that. Let’s examine a few of these principles and you can make your own analysis and judgment as to whether they can improve the quality of your life.
Understand the purpose behind the principle
Instruction is beneficial but when we add wisdom to our knowledge and actually apply what we’ve learned, our chance for success escalates. Wisdom is the application of knowledge that is based on our understanding of its underlying purpose. That depth of understanding is called insight.
Insight definition: the capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a person or thing.
“I shall make you have insight and instruct you in the way you should go. I will give advice with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)
Principle #1 — Develop and keep a positive attitude
“Whatever things are true, . . . lovable, . . . well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things.” — Philippians 4:8.
Keeping a positive mental attitude can be a catalyst for constructive and beneficial actions that lead to changing destructive personality traits that undermine your efforts to be happy.
“A heart at peace gives life to the body.” — Proverbs 14:30, The Holy Bible — New International Version.
Principle #2 — Relationship advice
Many people have heard of the Golden Rule mentioned in the bible. But have you ever analyzed it or put it into action, testing its worth? Of course, some people no matter how well you treat them will never return that goodness. But there are just as many that will. If nothing else, your own satisfaction and self-respect will increase.
“All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.” — Matthew 7:12 ~New World Translation
Principle #3 — Choose your friends wisely
Have you ever heard this statement? Show me his friends and I’ll tell you what kind of person he is. It’s a proven fact that the type of close associates you choose will directly affect your life quality.
“He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.” — Proverbs 13:20 ~New World Translation
Principle #4 — Attitudes in Marriage
Two very basic things will determine the outcome of any marriage as to its longevity and happiness potential — Attitude and Actions. Look for those two things in the following principles.
“Clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering. Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely.” — Colossians 3:12, 13 ~ New World Translation
“Let each one of you individually so love his wife as he does himself; on the other hand, the wife should have deep respect for her husband.” — Ephesians 5:33 ~New World Translation
Principle #5 — The pursuit of prominence and wealth can be a fruitless endeavor
“The rivalry of one toward another . . . is vanity and a striving after the wind.” “A mere lover of silver will not be satisfied with silver.” Ecclesiastes 4:4 -5:10 ~New World Translation
Takeaway
How many times have you tried to build or fix something and failed before you finally consulted the manufacturer's instruction sheet? Or how many times when growing up did you hear your parents or grandparents give you advice similar to the principles above? It’s much the same with life…
The author of the bible claims to be the God of creation, our manufacturer, and parent, as it were. Wouldn’t it just make good sense to consider the instruction manual he provides?
“Hear, my son, and accept my sayings. Then for you the years of life will become many. . . . When you walk, your pace will not be cramped; and if you run, you will not stumble. Take hold on discipline; do not let go. Safeguard it, for it itself is your life.” Proverbs 4:10–13 ~New World Translation
- The Bible — A Practical Guide for Modern Man
