What the Bible Teaches About Living a Good Life
When we talk about “moral character,” we’re really asking: what does it mean to be a good person? According to the Bible, it’s not just about following rules or looking good on the outside—it’s about who we are on the inside and how we treat others.
The Foundation of Moral Character
The Bible says that God Himself is the ultimate example of goodness, honesty, and kindness. He is perfectly loving and just, and His character sets the standard for how we should live. We’re encouraged to reflect God’s own qualities in our daily lives—things like honesty, mercy, love, and fairness.
Key Traits of Good Moral Character
· Love: The heart of biblical morality is love—loving God with everything you have, and loving other people as you love yourself. This is what Jesus called the two greatest commandments.
· Honesty: The Bible values telling the truth, being trustworthy, and avoiding lies or gossip.
· Integrity and Wisdom: Someone with good character is steady, makes wise choices, and doesn’t get caught up in trouble or drama. They do what’s right even when no one is watching.
· Mercy and Justice: Acting with compassion and fairness is at the core of a good life. God is pleased when we treat everyone with kindness and stand up for what’s right.
What Destroys Good Character?
On the flip side, the Bible warns about things that ruin our character—a lot of which starts on the inside. Jesus taught that actions like lying, holding grudges, or wishing bad on others come from a corrupt heart. Gossiping, cheating, and being mean-spirited don’t just hurt other people; they also damage who we are.
Simple Guidelines for Living Well
· The Two Great Commandments: Jesus summed up all of God’s laws this way: love God above all else, and love your neighbor as yourself. If you live by these, you’re on the right track.
· The Golden Rule: Treat others as you’d like to be treated. It’s a simple standard, but if everyone followed it, the world would be a much better place.
· Practical Tips: Books like Psalms and Proverbs give lots of down-to-earth advice: be honest, act responsibly, listen to wise counsel, and don’t make decisions in a hurry or out of anger.
From Old Laws to New Life
In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments set rules for living—like not stealing or lying. Jesus didn’t throw these out; instead, He went deeper. He taught that what matters most isn’t just our actions, but our attitudes and motives behind them. For example, it’s not enough just to avoid hurting people—we should genuinely care for them, even in our thoughts.
Examples from the Teachings of Jesus
Jesus gave many examples in sermons like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) and the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20–49), showing what living out this moral character looks like. He challenged people not just to avoid wrongdoing, but to actively do good—showing mercy, forgiving others, and helping anyone in need, no matter who they are.
In Summary
You don’t need to be a scholar to understand moral character in the Bible. It’s about loving God, loving people, being honest, fair, and kind—and checking that our actions match our words and beliefs. When we live this way, we not only make life better for others, but we also find a smoother, more meaningful path for ourselves.
Or, as the book of Proverbs puts it:
“Good character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life.”
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 