September 17, 2024
Reflection – Seven Habits of a Highly Effective Christian
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a popular book written by Stephen Covey (1932-2012), an American educator, author, businessman, and speaker. The book goes over his ideas on how to spur and nurture personal change. The book also explores the concept of effectiveness in achieving results and the need to focus on character ethics rather than personality ethics in selecting value systems.
Personal effectiveness is a skill that enables one to achieve desired outcomes by making the best use of time, energy, and resources. It determines how individuals manage their responsibilities, sets and achieves goals, and maintains a balanced and fulfilling life. It establishes one’s pathway to success, determines how successful one will be and controls how difficult the path will become.
Ineffective and Unproductive
Personal effectiveness is not something new to the world of Christianity. It was well established at the time of the writing of the New Testament. For example, the apostle Peter wrote in his second epistle of how Christian qualities underpin life in what was known as the Way, i.e.
“For this very reason make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ… if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (II Peter 1:5-11)
It is clear that the believer is called to be effective and productive in their knowledge of Jesus. These are qualities that each of us is to exhibit in the various roles we are given in life. Following in the steps of Stephen Covey, Peter’s list might be called the “7 Habits of the Highly Effective Christian.”
Goodness, Knowledge, Self-control, Perseverance, Godliness, Mutual Affection, Love
How does your life align with these seven habits? I recommend that you give each a rating from one to ten and then focus with prayer on developing the lowest-rated ones. They will build your spiritual effectiveness. And that will produce the life you “really” want. Stay tuned for more when we will read of the “12 Tenans.”
Blessings and peace,
Chaplain Allen
chaplain@nationsu.edu
chaplainscorner.org
Disclaimer statement: Please note that the opinions expressed herein are those of the Chaplain alone and are based on his personal understanding of scripture and how God works in our lives.
Read more Reflections: Chaplain’s Corner.