Understanding Holiness: A Path to Spiritual Growth
- Jan 17, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 13
(Audio Version at the end of page)
Holiness is a powerful and important concept in Christianity, yet it can often be misunderstood. Many people see it as something distant, unattainable, or merely about following a set of rules. However, in Christianity, holiness is not just a matter of external behaviour; it is about being transformed from the inside out, aligning your life with God's will, and becoming more like Him in every way.
We will explore what holiness means, how you can become holy, the barriers to holiness in contemporary society, and practical exercises to help you grow in holiness. Along the way, we'll incorporate Bible scriptures to help guide your understanding.
What is Holiness?
At its core, holiness is the quality of being "set apart" for God’s purposes. It’s about living in a way that reflects God’s purity, love, and righteousness. In the Bible, God Himself is described as holy, and He calls His people to be holy as well.
Leviticus 11:44 – "For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy."
1 Peter 1:16 – "Be holy, because I am holy."
Holiness involves living in alignment with God's will and living a life of integrity, love, and purity. It's not just about avoiding sin but about actively choosing to live in a way that pleases God.
How Do You Become Holy?
Becoming holy is a process that involves both God's work in us and our active participation in living a holy life. Here’s how you can grow in holiness:
Faith in Jesus Christ: The journey to holiness begins with faith in Jesus Christ. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are cleansed from sin and made holy through His sacrifice on the cross. This is the starting point of holiness—being made right with God.
Ephesians 1:4 – "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."
Romans 5:1 – "Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Through Jesus, we are given the righteousness of God, and this is the foundation of our holiness.
Sanctification: A Life of Growing in Holiness
Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ. It’s about daily choosing to live in a way that honours God and reflects His holiness. The Holy Spirit helps us in this process, empowering us to overcome sin and grow in Christ likeness.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 – "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable."
This is an ongoing process. Holiness is not achieved all at once, but through a consistent walk with God.
Obeying God’s Word
One key to holiness is reading and obeying the Bible. The more we align our actions with God’s Word, the more we reflect His holiness.
John 17:17 – "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
Psalm 119:11 – "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
Living a Life of Love and Service
Holiness is also expressed in how we treat others. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-39). A holy life is one marked by love, kindness, and selflessness.
Matthew 5:14-16 – "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
What Gets in the Way of Holiness in Contemporary Society?
In today’s world, there are several barriers that can make it difficult to pursue holiness. These obstacles often stem from the pressures and temptations of society, culture, and our own human nature.
The Bible teaches that we all have a sinful nature and are tempted to fall short of God’s standards (Romans 3:23). Temptations, whether from media, peer pressure, or our own desires, can pull us away from God’s holiness.
How to Overcome:
Stay vigilant and pray for strength.
Incorporate fasting into your life.
Be mindful of what you allow into your mind and heart.
Avoid situations or influences that lead you into temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
The pursuit of money, success, popularity, and pleasure can pull our focus away from God. Contemporary society often prioritizes material wealth and self-centred goals, which can easily interfere with our spiritual growth.
How to Overcome:
Set your priorities on eternal values, not temporary pleasures.
Take time daily to reflect on what truly matters and align your actions with God’s will.
Limit your exposure to things that fuel worldly desires.
Matthew 6:33 – "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Lack of Accountability and Support
It's easy to slip into complacency or compromise in a culture that often promotes individualism. Having accountability with other believers helps us stay on track.
How to Overcome:
Find a group of people who will encourage you in your walk with Christ.
Participate in church activities, youth groups, or Bible studies to build strong relationships with other Christians.
Hebrews 10:24-25 – "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another
Exercises towards Holiness
Exercise: Take some time to list out your current priorities in life. What gets your attention the most during the day? What consumes your thoughts? Is there anything that seems to be crowding out your relationship with God?
Follow-up: How can you reorder these priorities to make space for God, prayer, and your faith? Are there things that need to be let go of or minimized in your life to make more room for spiritual growth?
2. Daily Examine
Exercise: At the end of each day, reflect on your actions, thoughts, and feelings. Take a moment to ask yourself:
Where did I experience God's presence today?
Where did I struggle or fall short?
Is there any sin or attachment I need to address? (Galatians 5:19-21)
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11) (Ephesians 5:3-5)
Follow-up: Ask God for forgiveness for where you missed the mark and grace to do better tomorrow. This simple but powerful practice can help you become more aware of spiritual obstacles.
Exercise: Pick a few virtues that are important in the Christian life (e.g., humility, patience, kindness, generosity, etc.). Reflect on each one and how it shows up in your life.
Which virtues do you struggle with the most? Why do you think that is?
Which virtues do you find easier to practice?
Follow-up: What steps can you take to grow in the virtues that are harder for you? Are there specific people or situations where you need to work on practising these virtues more?
4. Confession Reflection
Exercise: If you regularly confess, think back over your most recent confessions. What sins do you often confess? Are there patterns that seem to repeat? What do these recurring sins say about areas of struggle in your life?
Follow-up: Ask God for the grace to break free from these patterns. You can also make a plan for avoiding or overcoming specific temptations in the future (e.g., setting boundaries, finding support, etc.).
5. Scripture Meditation
Exercise: Read a short passage from the Bible, and take a moment to reflect on what it says about holiness and your relationship with God. For example, you might look at Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) or Paul's letters about living a holy life (Romans 12-15, 1 Corinthians (especially chapters 6 & Chapter 10), Galatians 5, Ephesians 4-5, and 1 Thessalonians 4-5
Follow-up: Is there any particular teaching that challenges you? How does it call you to grow in your relationship with God?
Exercise: Talk with a close friend or spiritual mentor about your journey of holiness. Ask them where they see strengths in you and where they think you could grow.
Follow-up: Sometimes we can’t see our own blind spots. A trusted friend can help you recognize areas in your life where you might be resisting God's work.
7. The "Sin of Omission" Check
Exercise: Reflect on the good things you aren't doing but that God is calling you to. For example, are you neglecting prayer, service to others, or developing your talents for God’s glory? Is there any "good work" you should be doing that you're avoiding?
Follow-up: Make a specific action plan to take on that neglected good work and commit to it.
8. Gratitude Practice
Exercise: Spend time reflecting on the blessings in your life and offering thanks to God for them. This can help you build a more thankful heart and can open your eyes to areas where you might be taking God’s grace for granted.
Follow-up: How does this practice of gratitude shift your mindset and attitude toward life?
Exercise: Start writing down your thoughts, prayers, and feelings. What does your heart long for? Are there areas of your life where you're struggling with trust or fear? What areas do you feel distant from God in?
Follow-up: Keep bringing these thoughts and struggles to God in prayer, asking for His help in drawing you closer to Him.
Embracing the Journey of Holiness
Holiness is not a destination we reach in a single moment, but a lifelong journey we are called to walk with God. It’s a process of becoming more like Christ, one step at a time, as we grow in our relationship with Him and allow His Spirit to transform us from the inside out. Holiness is both a gift from God and a daily practice — it’s the continual choice to put on the new self, to let go of old habits, and to live out the values of God’s Kingdom in every area of our lives.
While the road to holiness isn’t always easy, it’s full of grace, growth, and purpose. It’s about surrendering ourselves to God’s will, seeking to live out His love, truth, and justice, and becoming more aligned with His heart. Holiness isn’t about perfection, but about progress — constantly learning to reflect God’s character in how we think, speak, and act.
So, as we press on toward holiness, let’s remember: it’s not something we achieve on our own, but something we embrace with God's help. Through prayer, Scripture, and the support of the Christian community, we can continue to pursue a life that honours God and blesses others. Holiness is a calling, a process, and a beautiful reflection of God’s love in a broken world.
Let’s keep walking in His light, knowing that each step brings us closer to the person God created us to be.
