The Reformed Life

Spiritual health is not accidental. Just as physical health requires consistent habits—eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep—spiritual health is cultivated through intentional practices that align our hearts and minds with God’s Word. Paul exhorts Timothy, “Train yourself for godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7), emphasizing that spiritual growth requires discipline.

Too often, believers desire maturity but neglect the very means God has given for their sanctification. We want wisdom but rarely meditate on Scripture. We long for joy but neglect prayer. We desire fellowship but avoid commitment to the local church. The spiritually healthy Christian, however, develops habits that draw them closer to Christ, shape their character, and prepare them for faithful endurance.

Here are seven habits of spiritually healthy Christians, each rooted in Scripture and vital for growing in grace.

1. They Delight in God’s Word

Spiritually healthy Christians don’t merely skim the Bible; they feast on it. The psalmist declares, “Blessed is the man… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Ps. 1:1-2). The Word of God is not just a source of knowledge—it is nourishment for the soul (Matt. 4:4).

This means regular, intentional study—not just listening to sermons, but personally engaging with the text, seeking to understand it in its historical and theological context, and applying it to life.

Just as an athlete doesn’t fuel themselves with junk food and expect peak performance, a Christian cannot expect spiritual strength while neglecting the Word. Imagine an Olympic runner who only eats fast food—no protein, no vitamins, no hydration. They wouldn’t last long in competition. Likewise, believers who skim Scripture or rely only on Sunday sermons for spiritual food will struggle when trials come.

Practical Habit: Set a structured Bible reading plan, memorize Scripture, and study it deeply—not just for knowledge, but for transformation (Rom. 12:2). 

2. They Are Devoted to Prayer

Prayer is the lifeline of the Christian life. Jesus Himself modeled a life of constant communion with the Father, rising early to pray (Mark 1:35) and teaching His disciples to persist in prayer (Luke 18:1). Paul commands, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).

A spiritually healthy Christian recognizes prayer not as a duty but as a delight—a means of drawing near to the Father and seeking His wisdom, strength, and provision.

Practical Habit: Develop a rhythm of prayer—morning, throughout the day, and before bed. Pray through Scripture, and incorporate prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication (Phil. 4:6).

3. They Are Committed to the Local Church

A healthy Christian is a connected Christian. The New Testament knows nothing of lone-ranger Christianity. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts believers to “not neglect to meet together” but to “stir up one another to love and good works.” The early church devoted themselves to “the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers”(Acts 2:42).

A spiritually healthy believer doesn’t merely attend church but actively participates in its life—serving, worshiping, and walking in accountability with other believers.

If you pull a burning coal from the fire and set it aside, it quickly grows cold. But when it stays in the fire with the others, it burns brightly. Christians are the same way—we grow cold in isolation but burn with zeal when surrounded by other believers. Spiritually healthy Christians prioritize being in the fire of fellowship. 

Practical Habit: Join a biblical, gospel-preaching church, engage in its discipleship structures, and commit to building up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-16).

4. They Kill Sin Daily

Spiritual health is impossible without an active war against sin. John Owen famously wrote, “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.” Scripture commands believers to “put to death what is earthly in you” (Col. 3:5) and to “lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely” (Heb. 12:1).

A spiritually healthy Christian does not make peace with sin. They confess it, repent of it, and seek accountability in overcoming it.

Anyone who has tried gardening knows that weeds don’t disappear on their own. If left alone, they choke out healthy plants. Killing sin is like pulling weeds—it requires consistent effort. If you ignore it for a few weeks, sin takes root and spreads. But when you uproot it daily, your spiritual life flourishes.

Practical Habit: Regularly examine your heart, confess sins before God (1 John 1:9), seek accountability from godly believers (James 5:16), and take radical steps to cut off temptations (Matt. 5:29-30).

5. They Are Faithful in Evangelism

A Christian who is growing in spiritual health cannot help but share the gospel. Jesus commanded, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19), and Paul proclaimed, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16).

A spiritually mature believer does not see evangelism as optional but as a joyful privilege. They recognize that proclaiming Christ is an act of obedience and love, knowing that faith comes by hearing (Rom. 10:17).

Imagine a doctor discovering a cure for a deadly disease but keeping it to himself. That would be unthinkable! Yet, as Christians, we have the cure for the greatest disease—sin and death. A spiritually healthy Christian sees evangelism not as an obligation but as the natural response to knowing the greatest news in the world.

Practical Habit: Identify specific people to pray for and intentionally engage in gospel conversations. Learn to share your testimony and be equipped to articulate the gospel clearly (1 Pet. 3:15).

6. They Live with an Eternal Perspective

The spiritually healthy Christian is not fixated on this world but longs for the kingdom of God. Paul reminds believers, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2). Jesus calls His followers to “store up treasures in heaven” rather than being consumed with material pursuits (Matt. 6:19-20).

This habit is visible in how a Christian spends their time, money, and energy—investing in what lasts rather than what fades. 

If you were going on a short trip, would you bring a massive suitcase filled with unnecessary things? No! You’d travel light and focus on what’s essential. Spiritually healthy Christians live the same way—holding loosely to material things and keeping their eyes fixed on eternity.

Practical Habit: Regularly reflect on eternity. Read Revelation and other eschatological passages. Ask, “Does my life reflect a longing for Christ’s return?” (Phil. 3:20).

7. They Walk in Humility and Teachability

The spiritually healthy Christian recognizes their dependence on God and remains teachable. James reminds us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). The more a believer grows, the more they realize their need for God’s grace.

This humility is evident in how they receive correction, seek counsel, and prioritize wisdom over their own opinions (Prov. 12:15).

Practical Habit: Read Scripture with a posture of humility, seek godly mentors, and invite accountability (Prov. 27:17). Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19).

Conclusion

Spiritual health is not automatic—it is cultivated through the daily rhythms of obedience, devotion, and dependence on Christ. No believer is perfect, but the mark of a spiritually healthy Christian is a consistent pursuit of these biblical habits.

Perhaps you see areas where you need growth. That’s good. The Christian life is one of progress, not perfection. Take steps today—start reading the Word with deeper engagement, prioritize prayer, commit more fully to your local church, and seek to walk in humility.

Remember: the goal of these habits is not self-improvement but growing in Christlikeness. As Paul reminds us, “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me” (Col. 1:29). The power to grow in spiritual health is ultimately not our own—it is God’s grace at work in us.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Josh Chambers

If you would like to stay updated on new content, please fill out the brief subscription form below. Thanks for reading!