As you read through the Proverbs, I urge you to reflect, pray, and apply these devotional bits of encouragement and wisdom to your own life.
Virtue.
Simple word. Painstaking journey. True godly character is shaped on the anvil of adversity and daily devotion. It doesn’t just appear. It’s the product of purposeful living. God wants us to be virtuous people—loving, kind, compassionate, empathetic, good, humble, peaceful, patient, honest, integrous, and gentle. Not always easy, but always important. It’s no secret that this is exactly who Jesus was and is. Our greatest aim in life as a Christ follower is to be like Jesus, to authentically become more and more like Him. How is that growth process going for you? We all say it. We know the verses, the words, and the songs. But do we live it? Are we mirroring Christ more and more? To be honest, some days I feel like I’m doing better than other days, but I want to do well at growing in Christ every day. Today, join me in praying for God’s strength and help as we pursue virtue and Christlikeness. Confess your need for His Spirit to guide and provide what you need and when you need it. Ask God to establish your steps and mature your character. In a world of great inauthenticity, let’s be authentically Christlike. As we grow in Christian virtue, we will be fulfilled, others will be blessed, and God will be honored.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making. Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right. The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.” – Proverbs 16:9, 11-13, 17