4 Ways to Become More Christlike Everyday
How can I become more like Christ every day?
Only eat when I’m hungry and not because of a craving or it sounds good.
Reach out to my neighbors offering help or a meal.
Hold my tongue with my husband or kids or the insurance lady, etc. when I really want to be snarky or self-righteous.
Let humility be the rule instead of the exception…
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Although we will never “arrive” this side of heaven, here are four ways we can strive to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
Intentionality
Daniel did this exact thing in Daniel 1:8, 12:
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Hmmm, vegetables verses the royal food. That would be a tough one, but Daniel made the better choice for the desired outcome. How could he have made such a great decision on the spot and without wavering (or did he know ahead of time?)
Daniel’s allegiance was clear. He was determined to remain faithful to God no matter what. He was determined to glorify God no matter what he did or where he was, even during captivity and idol worship in a foreign land. He had decided ahead of time.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1Cor. 10: 31).
I’m sure Daniel wasn’t born a pillar of self-control. He, like everything else done well, he had to exercise his self-control “muscle” until it became second nature – with some mistakes along the way.
Pray
Just ask Him to help you remeber to stop and think before you make decisions or respond in your everyday interactions.
Jesus tells us in John 14:26 that the Holy Spirit will teach all things and will remind us of everything that He said. Every morning ask the Holy Spirit to help you act like Jesus. Ask Him to help you remember to stop and think before you make decisions or respond in your everyday interactions.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26 ESV)
Speak Scripture Everyday
There is power in the Word. God could have just waved a magic wand, but He spoke creation into being. Make Scripture cards that address your area of need and have them conveniently placed for repetition and memorization by your bedside, at the kitchen sink, in the bathroom, etc. If possible, rehearse them before interacting if needed.
Ask for Help
Ask friends and family members to pray for you in the particular area you are struggling (ouch – this also helps with that humility I mentioned earlier!). Maybe even have an accountability partner to check in with on a regular basis. This approach can work really well. Try not to let pride get in the way. Satan wants to keep us isolated by telling us the lie we are the “only one”. In this world, no one is ever truly free from struggle of some sort or another.
How about you? What helps you become more like Christ everyday?
