Written by: Sophia Roman
Article source: JOY! Magazine
Values are like a GPS – they guide us and are deeply ingrained. They help us make decisions and reveal who we truly are at our core. When we live outside of our value system, we step into a place of unease and inner conflict. This can even affect our physical health – that’s how serious it is. We can only live in the fruit of the Spirit when we honour our Biblical values. They set a standard for life. Anything outside of this truth disrupts our spirit, soul, and body.
Taking personal responsibility
To live with joy and peace, there is a price to be paid. It is costly to remain true to the Word of God. The price for this life of joy and peace is when we honour our Biblical value system. When we choose not to compromise, but to be true daily. Honouring Biblical values contributes to a healthy spirit, soul, and body. There will be times when we are tempted to compromise, but we must be resolute to pay the price to maintain our standards and belief system. What price am I willing to pay to be true to Biblical values? The responsibility is on us as individuals.
What are Christian values?
Galatians 5:22-26 breaks down the most essential and core Christian values in detail. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
Be willing to pay the price
Keep reflecting and improving your walk with the Lord. People’s opinions and convictions will differ, but we must never compromise Biblical truth. Be willing to pay the price and take responsibility for your values. Buildings, money, and possessions show what one has gained in life, but values reveal who you are and how you live.
Starts with you and me
Recent world events, the political climate in our country, and the social decline in our communities have brought us to reflect and think – not only where is God in all of it, but what our personal stance is in all these matters, and to speak out against anything contrary to the Bible on which our belief system is based. How do I live in a world of so much confusion and instability? We do not need to look far – right here in our own country and communities we daily see, hear, and experience so much violence and all sorts of social ills. Where will it all end, we often ask. Where is God in it all? When will change come? Will change ever come, or is it just a pipe dream? Jesus makes it clear in the Bible that the two most essential commandments are to love God and love others. These Christian values are at the centre of the New Testament and serve as a general guide for how Christians should live and behave. But beyond these general parameters, Paul writes in Galatians about nine additional Judeo-Christian values worth exploring.
Show love
When looking at these Christian values, the first one that Jesus Himself calls us to is “love”. Love – for God and for others – is not only evidence of the presence of Christ in one’s life, but it also holds the power to transform a person’s existence. Love is selfless. It encapsulates care for others and their wellbeing. It is also an emotion that people express for one another and for the Almighty – and it is one God expresses back to His creation.
Find joy in the chaos
Paul tells us that one of the most important Judeo-Christian values is “joy” – something that Merriam-Webster defines as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires”. More specifically, though, joy is the contentment that comes from trusting God, even in chaos. Jesus is enough – this core value sustains believers in times of need.
Seek peace
The Holy Spirit brings peace into a believer’s heart. Peace with God and peace with others are central principles of Christian living.
Be patient
Forbearance, or patience, is yet another quality on the Christian values list that is worthy of further exploration. Being in control of oneself and having patience is important – but boy, it can sure feel hard to do!
Be kind
In a world that focuses on self, it’s easy to lose sight of the important role that kindness plays. Along with loving others comes the Christian principle of caring for them – and of being compassionate. Kindness is simple. It’s one of the hallmarks of a Christ-filled heart.
Be good
Being good ties in with being kind, and from a faith perspective these values go hand in hand. Goodness changes both the person expressing it and the people he or she interacts with.
Live faithfully
Of all the Christian values, faithfulness is the one on which so many of the others rest. Trusting and loving God – and living out that commitment – help ensure one is embracing and showing the other Christian principles to their fullest.
Be gentle
In a rough and tumble culture that often values fierce and selfish responses, taking a gentle approach to life and human interaction is evidence of Christ living in a person’s heart. Gentleness is not weakness; when lived out, it requires strength, self-control, and the ability to look past anger and emotion to see the bigger picture. Christians are called to be kind and loving, even to their enemies.
Have self-control
In an “anything goes” society, self-control can become a foreign value. But embracing Christian principles means controlling one’s words and behaviour. Relying on God means His will and plan matter most. When speaking about core Christian values, it is essential to include self-control.
This article is featured in the November issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
Click here to KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE weekly newsletter.
> Please support Christian media and journalism in South Africa. Help us to spread the Word of God and take a stand for the truth by making a donation to our ministry. We appreciate your support. Click here to take hands with JOY! Magazine.
Date published: 11/11/2025
SOPHIA ROMAN – pioneer, visionary, and life transformation coach. Sophia and her husband, Theo, pastor the West Reach AOG Church in Mitchells Plain.
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only.
DISCLAIMER
JOY! News is a Christian news portal that shares pre-published articles by writers around the world. Each article is sourced and linked to the origin, and each article is credited with the author’s name. Although we do publish many articles that have been written in-house by JOY! journalists, we do not exclusively create our own content. Any views or opinions presented on this website are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company.
