As a new year comes about, I’ve been reflecting on this past year and would like to share insights with you. Let’s consider how values and virtues guide our reflection and discernment.
Self-reflection on identity
For the past thirty years, I’ve proudly considered myself to be a “conservative” Christian. The key to his view of self is the term “proudly.” God call us to consistently reflect on our view of self and others. Got questions summarizes this concept: emphasis mine:
Self-examination is an important part of living as an authentic Christian, but by nature we prefer self-deception. Deceiving ourselves is easy and comfortable.
We want to believe ourselves better, smarter, and more ethical than we really are, so careful, Spirit-directed self-examination keeps us honest with ourselves and with God.
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-self-examination.html
The cross is our guide and example. Jesus is our Good Shepherd who understands our sorrows, weaknesses, and tends to our emotional wounds.
Reflection Questions:
Alignment to Jesus and His character/actions in Gospels
Are we considering ourselves in view of God’s Word? Self examination requires careful discernment and reflection. Simple test: are our thoughts and actions like Christ as we read in the Gospels?
Do our thought patterns, motives, and actions toward others align with the virtues and values of following Christ?
The opposite of pride is humility. What is humility?
Humility is living in the example of Jesus. How did Jesus demonstrate humility? Emphasis mine
“Just as He did not come to be served, but to serve, so must we commit ourselves to serving others, considering their interests above our own (Philippians 2:3). This attitude precludes selfish ambition, conceit, and the strife that comes with self-justification and self-defense. Jesus was not ashamed to humble Himself as a servant (John 13:1-16), even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). In His humility, He was always obedient to the Father and so should the humble Christian be willing to put aside all selfishness and submit in obedience to God and His Word. True humility produces godliness, contentment, and security.“
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-humility.html
Are we considering others above ourselves? Are our thoughts and actions inwardly directed? Do we obey religious “norms” or live by God’s Word and Holy Spirit’s direction? Are we applying God’s Word or using His Word to justify our personal ideas and preferences? Do we seek comfort instead of transformation?
A.I image: The sun light pierces through the early morning fog. The man finds a place to reflect, rest, and carefully evaluate his ways.
Personal Considerations
Humility leads me to honesty evaluate myself. Am I more concerned about being “conservative”, or “progressive”, etc. in alignment with others more than seeking to be like Christ? Am I seeking to please people, live comfortable, or move forward as God leads me in a different direction?
Self-identity is complex! It’s easier to identify and label ourselves in a manner that seems pleasing or in alignment with others than to be authentic. Being authentic requires discernment and humility. Reflecting on values and virtues assists us in growing in this manner.
Does being “conservative” or other identities labels reflect Christ? That’s the question I’m asking myself as I reflect on my thoughts and actions in relation to others.
A.I image, young man considers his life reflecting on the recent events and disappointments. The incoming waves and warm sun rays remind him that life is constantly changing and that to grow we can’t remain the same. Each wave is unique even though only lasting for a few seconds.
Values and Virtues: A Way Forward
Scott Perry explains how values and virtues relate:
Values are your ideals, guiding principles, and standards of behavior. They’re aspirational goals that provide you with a moral compass for navigating choices and decisions.
Virtues are your convictions. Values as lived and acted upon. Virtues are experienced and observed.
Put another way, values are theory, and virtues are reality.
Source: https://www.creativeonpurpose.com/blog/values-vs-virtues
Christian tradition helps us guiding us by providing a list of traditional virtues. Virtues provide guidance for navigating daily choices and interactions with others. Bringing your values into alignment with the virtues gives a foundation for honorable and Christ-like living: isn’t this point of following Christ?
Traditional Seven Virtues
Got Question’s Excellent Summary
Here is a brief description of each of the seven cardinal virtues:
Prudence — The ability to find the good in every situation and choosing the right means of achieving it.
Justice — The constant and firm will to give what is due to God and neighbor.
Fortitude — The demonstration of strength in difficulties and temptations; the ability to overcome fear and other obstacles in one’s moral life.
Temperance — Balance in the use of created goods, using pleasure in moderation, and seeking that which is good.
Faith — The virtue by which one believes in God and believes that all He has said and revealed is true.
Hope — A desire for the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as one’s happiness, placing one’s trust in Christ’s promises, and relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Charity — Love for God above all else for His own sake and love for one’s neighbor as oneself for the love of God.
https://www.gotquestions.org/seven-cardinal-virtues.html
Helpful Virtues Diagram
The Virtues of Moral Personhood created by Jim Lanctot and Dr. Justin Irving
“Character and Leadership: Situating Servant Leadership in a Proposed Virtues Framework”
Link to full article:
Explanation:
“Biblically, virtues flow from God’s character and are produced in us through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is God’s will to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Once a person puts his trust in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and he begins to reflect the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). “
“By God’s grace and through the work of the Holy Spirit, we become more like Christ and therefore filled with virtue. The transformation to Christlikeness is not primarily a self-help effort in which we seek to live virtuously; rather, it depends on the work of the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:12–13).
Three vital components:
(1). Overcoming sin and living a godly life of virtue is about abiding in Christ (John 15),
(2). yielding to and keeping in step with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16–18), and
(3). trusting in God and His provision for us (1 Corinthians 10:13).”
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/seven-cardinal-virtues.html
Gaining a different view assists with our perception of reality. This hiker endured a rocky, steep climb to experience this view of sun rays streaming down. Canva Pro stock image.
Pride and Self-Deception
Pride leads to self-deception which is one of the worst forms of deception.
To avoid self-deception, we must be like the one who “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). Remembering the Word, doing the Word, and continuing in the Word—this is what changes character and counters self-delusion. Like a mirror, the Word of God will always show us the truth.
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-self-deception.html
Deception affects our self-perception, impacts how we respond to situations, and leads us astray on our spiritual journeys. Self-examination, reflection, and seeking wise counsel and accountability with others helps us to avoid this trap.
The sin of the Pharisees, Sadduccees, and other “religious” leaders of the 1st century centered on self-deception. John the Baptist and later Jesus calls them out for their hypocrisy and self-deception. I write about this spiritual issue in this post:
I explain how we respond to the challenges of our time:
Words of Grace & Hope 