10 Keys on How to Live a Holy Life

Holiness is a forgotten word in the church today. I can tell you this: it hasn't been forgotten by God. Just as He expected it thousands of years ago, He still expects it today. Also, it didn't go away under the new covenant of grace.

I can promise you this: there is no other way to live but to walk in holiness. I am not talking about a bunch of religious rules to follow. It's a matter of the heart and being strengthened by the Holy Spirit to do so.

As you learn to walk a life of holiness, it is a breath of fresh air. You have tremendous peace with God. You can see a dramatic difference between the old and new you. You are no longer pulled by the things that once enticed you. You have an overwhelming sense of being pleasing to the Lord.

I encourage you to read the 10 keys to walk in holiness. It will challenge and inspire you.

Understanding Holiness

God is not joking when he says that those who are not holy will not see the Lord. I think any professing believer in Christ should seriously look into this scripture and not blow it off. It's not a matter of getting caught up in legalism to attain man-made holiness but allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your heart.

When we give our lives to the Lord, we are immediately righteous through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and made holy; we are set apart. BUT as Jesus did His part on the cross to make us righteous, we must continue to do ours by walking in holiness.

To be holy is to be morally pure, spiritually whole, separated from evil, dedicated to God, and set apart for his purposes. We should have an overwhelming desire to be close to Him. We want to be like His son, Jesus Christ. Ultimately, we are strongly determined to do what is right according to the Word of God.

It's not a life of following the do's and don'ts. As we chase God daily, we will have this overwhelming desire to walk differently. We won't want to partake of the worldly things we once did in our past. Philippians 2:13 says we will want to do what pleases Him.

I can't stress enough that holiness is not a preference from God; it's an expectation. 1 Peter 1:16 says you MUST BE HOLY.

Keys on How to Live a Holy Life

Romans 12:1 (AMP) — 1 I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

I may sound repetitive here, but I can't stress enough that you can't be holy on your own. If you try to do so, it will become legalistic. You will be sin conscience. You will find yourself falling into trap after trap, trying to be free from sin.

Trust me, I have been there in my life. I was like a walking yo-yo. It wasn't until I discovered the grace and working strength of the Holy Spirit in my life. In time, I saw myself becoming free in certain areas of my life. I couldn't boast upon myself but only upon the Lord. He has the same for you.

But I do want to note here that Apostle Paul pleads with believers in Christ to make a decisive dedication, meaning to make a conscious decision to present our bodies to the Lord, for what, for His use and purposes. We must make an effort on our part TO BE HOLY. The Holy Spirit is NOT going to take control of us and make us be holy, we have our role to play in it. Decide to do so in cooperation with the Lord.

Here are 10 keys to walking free from sin and having holiness in your life.

1. Regular time with God

James 4:8a (NLT) — 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

It is pretty evident from God's Word that believers in Christ Jesus should live a life of prayer. The Word encourages us to pray without ceasing. I explain it this way. We should have such a relationship with God that He is continuously on our minds and that we communicate with Him throughout the day. Prayer is simply conversing back and forth with our Lord.

Also, James 4:8 promises that He will draw close to us as we draw close to Him. How powerful is this to even comprehend? The Creator of the universe will draw to us. You must cease hold of this promise because there will be times when you draw to Him and don't sense Him drawing to you. You have to know that He is because the Word of God is true.

Ultimately, prayer develops a relationship with the Lord. In Romans 13:14, we are encouraged to clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to wrap ourselves up in the Lord; then the Word continues; it says, don't let yourself think of ways to indulge your evil desires.

I believe if you are so wrapped up with the Lord, you won't want to indulge in your sinful desires. You will know and realize how it harms your relationship with Him. You won't want to do anything that will damage it. Think of it this way: I am married to a precious woman of God. We have been married for 38 years. I love her so much that I continuously think of her and don't want to do anything that would hurt her. So, I am conscious of my actions and the words that I speak. I don't walk on pins and needles. I am just considerate and loving towards her. This is how we should be with the Lord and ever so much more.

One final note: I have a 3-year-old granddaughter, and the other day, she repeated everything my wife said. It was adorable. My daughter said that she has been doing that lately. It's kind of monkey see, monkey do. I believe the more time you spend with the Lord, the more you will be like Him. The Bible calls for us to be Christ-like, which means living holy.

2. Reading God's Word

As believers in Christ, we need to crave God's written Word; if you don't, it's only a prayer away. I have prayed many times by asking God to help me read the Bible. He has answered that prayer every time. The key is to respond to His promptings from the Holy Spirit. When He inspires you to read the Bible, go and read it. Stay sensitive to Him.

It's alarming how many Christians live a certain way that is not godly. You will point it out to them lovingly and gently. The first thing that comes out of their mouth is don't judge me, or they say it's perfectly fine to live that way. This only shows their lack of understanding of God's Word. They are not reading the Bible.

I can't tell you how many times I thought something was okay, and as I read the Bible, I found out that it wasn't. The Lord quickly deals with me and shows me I must stop living that way. It's not pleasing to Him.

Don't read the Word of God just to read, but read it to apply it to your life. The Bible is like a mirror; it gives us a reflection of ourselves. It reveals things in our lives or areas that need correction. It reveals truths to us that were unknown to us. This is why we need to keep it before us continuously. As we do, it will continually purify our hearts before God.

3. Obeying God's Word

Countless people SAY that they know God and serve Him, but all the while, they only give lip service to Him. This statement is not meant to condemn those who are reading this blog. It is intended to challenge all of us, even me, to examine our lives. James 1:22 says that we must do what we read. Don't just gloss over it. If you do, you are only fooling yourself.

Many wonderful things result from us being doers of the Word of God. One is from James 1:25, which says that we will be blessed. I don't know about you; I like being blessed. I love living the life of blessings in the Lord. Blessings isn't just about money; it's about being right where God wants you to be. You know that you know that you are following God.

Jesus confirmed this in Luke 11:28, "Jesus replied, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice." Practicing is an action. It's something you consistently do to be perfected in. We should want to be perfected in living our lives the way God wants us.

Ultimately, when we are doers of the Word of God, we will see our lives transformed into Christ Jesus's image. We will begin to live like Him. The Bible says that we are ambassadors of the Lord. That means when someone sees us, they should see Jesus in us. The Jesus inside of us should make our actions holy before Him.

For those that are reading this and saying it's impossible. No, it is very possible. The first mistake you can make is trying to do it yourself. If you do, you will fall flat on your face. I have been there and done that. I wanted to set myself free over and over of sin in my life. It wasn't until I allowed the Holy Spirit to help me I was free.

4. Following the Holy Spirit's Guidance

Not only are we to follow the Word of God and obey its commandments, but we are to follow the Holy Spirit in every part of our lives. Make sure you take note of that keyword, EVERY. There are no areas of exemption. It's all or nothing with God.

The Holy Spirit reminds us of God's Word and what it says. If you allow Him, he will also guide you in all other areas of life. He will guide you in things that are not necessarily in the Word of God. Like where to work, who to marry, how many kids you should have, etc.

This scripture says if we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we will not follow our sinful cravings but will see our lives walking in holiness. We won't want to do those things that offend God or quench the Holy Spirit inside us. We will want to live a life that is pleasing unto Him.

Philippians 2:13 is a life-changing scripture that has transformed my life. Once I saw and implemented it in my life, I saw a radical shift. What I couldn't fix or change in my life (sinful ways), I witnessed no desire to go there anymore. This was not of my ability. It truly was a work of the Lord in my life through the Holy Spirit.

I encourage you to apply this scripture in your life. Take areas you struggle with and say, "Lord, I know this does not please you. I know I shouldn't be doing it. I pray you give me the power and desire to be free and walk in holiness." I promise if you do it with sincerity, He will help you be free. You know how I know this? Because He did it for me, and I still use it.

Word of warning: Before going to the next section, I want to say that Philippians 2:!3 isn't a scripture that you pray and magically walk in holiness. No, as the Bible says, we must be doers, but this scripture gives us strength to do the doing if that makes sense. We are no longer alone; the Holy Spirit partners with us to walk us into holiness.

5. Run From Temptation

One thing I have learned about being free from sin is to master overcoming temptation and stop it before it even turns into sin. The enemy doesn't have any new tricks up his sleeves. He has been tempting mankind for thousands of years and doing it the same way. It still works; he still gets people to always fall for it. So why change if it isn't broken?

The Lord taught me to recognize my triggers in life. What triggers me to be willing to walk in sin? At what point in my life am I willing to say, I don't care if it is a sin; I will do it just because I want to. Triggers can be loneliness, boredom, anxiousness, worry, etc.

Once I started recognizing those triggers, I could see where the enemy was trying to take me. Now, I simply head him off at the pass. I stop it before it's a pull on me. I say, no devil, not today. I'm not going to go there with you. Today, I don't even experience those triggers anymore. The devil has learned I am not falling for it.

This doesn't mean I let my guard down or fall asleep at the wheel. 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." He will always come back around to check periodically. He will try to see if you are alert and watching.

6. Continual Surrender to God

To follow Jesus, we must make it a daily thing. It can't be on one day and off the next. We are not called to have a yo-yo relationship with Him. He must come first before anything else in our lives. This comes through surrendering to Him. As Jesus said, "You must give up your way."

James 4:7 tells us to humble ourselves before the Lord. This means to swallow any pride that we may have. Tell God you fully trust Him and don't want anything between you and Him. That even means the little things we keep doing in our lives, and we know we shouldn't be. We make excuses such as God understands. No, God doesn't understand; He expects complete surrender and us to walk in holiness.

Part of surrendering is allowing Jesus to live through us. Galatians 2:20 says, "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." There is only enough room for you or Jesus in your life. He is not going to share His lordship with you. Either you relinquish all control to Him or take the wheel yourself.

As we give control over Him, we will see ourselves walking in holiness that God expects from us.

7. Regular Self-Examination and Repentance

To walk in holiness before the Lord, we must continually perform a self-examination of our lives. I used to be a mechanic in the U.S. Army. We had something called preventative maintenance. On a scheduled rotation, we would grab our clipboards and go to our vehicles to inspect them for any issues. For the most part, we would catch any potential issues before they become major ones.

This should be the same for our lives. We should consistently examine all areas of our lives to ensure that we meet the holiness standards that the Lord expects from us. But I want to warn you: don't get caught up in legalism. Our walk with God should never be about the do's and don'ts. It should be based on a relationship. Father God is not on a throne looking down, ready to strike you with a lightning bolt at any moment.

We should always strive to have a heart after God. When you do, you will not want to do sinful things. You will want to walk holy. You won't be making excuses for your behavior contrary to God's Word. Instead of doing it out of fear, you will want to do it because you know it please Father God.

This scripture is about the Apostle Peter ministering to a crowd of unbelievers, but I want to point something out. When we examine our hearts, we will find areas we must repent of. Notice the results of repentance; not only will the Lord forgive us and cleanse us from all wickedness according to 1 John 1:9, but we will be refreshed.

8. Disconnecting From the World

We all live in the world and are surrounded by unbelievers. The Bible speaks of being in the world but not of the world. I believe 2 Corinthians 6:17 says that we should have no part in the world's sins. We should not pattern our lives from it. When our lives are examined, there should be a clear difference. How we walk, what we say, and what we do should exemplify Christ Jesus.

Can we thoroughly check out and have nothing to do with the world? No, we must live it and be the salt and light it needs. We need to show the world who Jesus is. We need to draw people to the Lord. We must be cautious and wise in how we live in the world.

Years ago, I had an employee. He was a new convert in Christ Jesus. He started going to my church. He had a past with drug addiction. Sadly, his battles were not over with after giving his life to Jesus. He would periodically call me in the morning to tell me he couldn't come to work because he was high from drugs. After this happened 3 times, I sat him down to find out what was happening in his life. He shared with me that he kept going back to his friends to witness to them, but instead of doing so, he fell into the temptation of using drugs.

I told him he needed to walk away from his friends and live for Jesus. Once he became strong in God, he would see his friends come to Christ because of his bold stand for Jesus. That is precisely what happened. He started chasing God, got married, had children, and bought my construction company. Also, a handful of his friends came to know Jesus.

Disconnecting from the world is keeping our thought life on things of heaven and not the things of the world. Yes, we must live here, but we don't have to think like the world thinks. Joyce Myer, a world-famous minister, said in her book, "Battle Field of the Mind." You don't have to think about the thoughts you think. We have every ability to manage our thoughts.

9. Recognizing the ongoing battle with sin

The second you think you are immune from sin, you have lost the battle. The devil is never going to stop enticing you to sin. He may back off at times. You may have a sense of freedom and think the battle is over. That is okay because we are free in Christ. But, the Bible does warn us to be alert, for the devil seeks whom he may devour.

A good warrior is very methodical and patient. They always try to find soft targets. They wait for the right moment. The last thing I want to do is give the devil credit. But because you master something months or years ago, he will try again. You need to be aware of this and be on guard for it.

10. Handling failures and seeking forgiveness

Condemnation is a tool from the enemy. He will always try to use it against us believers in Christ. When you walk with the Lord, this is a promise you can dearly hold onto. Don't let the devil creep in with it. Don't swallow the poison pill. It will keep you bound as long as you keep taking the dose the enemy gives you.

We serve a mighty and loving God. He is forever with us to be there for us when we trip and fall. Trust me; I have experienced this in my own life. I have made decisions that resulted in disaster. To this day, it is very embarrassing. During that time, the Lord was there every step of the way. He forgave and restored me.

Even though I went through a very trying time, I had to forget the past. Today, I keep looking ahead at what God has for me. What good am I for the Lord and my family if I continue in a toxic spiritual pattern? I knew Father God forgave me, but I struggled to forgive myself. Don't let your past control you. That is the devil's playground.

Today, I wake up daily excited to see what the Lord has for me. I am overjoyed to see how many people are reading my blogs. I know God is using me. That, to me, is the height of it all. God didn't throw me away. No, He knew I would make a dumb decision; He was way ahead of me, putting everything in place.

Stay on the path God has for you even though you messed up. Run to God, not away from Him. He is the most graceful Father we have. He will forever be there waiting for you with forgiveness, love, mercy, and grace.

The Results of Holy Living

Don't fall into the trappings of the sloppy grace teachers that give you a sense that you can live any way you want. The Bible is very clear about pleasing and displeasing the Lord. I have never walked down this path, but sadly, many do. This teaching is very dangerous. I always knew some areas in my life that weren't right. Today, I am totally free; it wasn't because I succumbed to this doctrine, but God got my heart right.

There is such joy in knowing that you are living a life of holiness. There is a sense of purity of heart. It's not that I feel better than others because I am not. Also, I know how I got where I am in life. It was only by the Lord's strength. I know very well that I can go right back into that lifestyle.

When you choose to live a life of holiness, you will have peace in your heart from God. Following the 10 keys I outlined above, you will witness a closer relationship with Father God. You will see His power operating in your life for yourself and others around you to make an impact in their lives.

Our goal should be to live a more Christ-like life while glorifying the Lord!

Bringing It All Together

Living a life of holiness is not a burden—it's a blessing. It's not about perfecting yourself through your strength but allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you. Remember Philippians 2:13: God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. This is not just a nice scripture; it's a life-changing promise I have experienced personally in my walk with the Lord.

I want to encourage you: don't be discouraged by past failures or struggles. The enemy loves to use condemnation to keep you stuck, but Romans 8:1 reminds us that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Every day is a new opportunity to surrender to God, to draw close to Him, and to allow Him to transform you from the inside out. Trust me, I have been in those dark places and know that God's grace is always greater than our weaknesses.

Your journey of holiness is unique, and it's not about being perfect. It's about having a heart that genuinely seeks after God. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, continue to read His Word, pray without ceasing, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. You will witness a radical transformation in your life as you do this. You will experience peace, joy, and a relationship with God that is deeper and more fulfilling than anything this world can offer.

Stay encouraged, stay focused, and keep chasing after God!

Devotional Questions

1. What does it mean to you to "draw close to God," as mentioned in James 4:8? In what practical ways can you intentionally spend more time developing a deeper relationship with God this week, ensuring He is continuously on your mind throughout the day?

2. The blog emphasizes daily surrender to God, referencing Luke 9:23 about giving up your way. Take a moment to assess honestly: Are there any areas of your life where you still hold onto control instead of fully surrendering to God? What specific step can you take today to invite Christ to live through you more completely?

3. Considering the section on disconnecting from the world, reflect on Colossians 3:2 about thinking about heavenly things. What thoughts or mental habits might be pulling you away from a holy mindset? How can you practically "manage your thoughts" this week to align more closely with God's perspective?

Scriptures on Holiness

Leviticus 19:2 (NLT) — 2 "Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I am holy, the Lord your God.

1 Peter 1:15–16 (NLT) — 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."

Isaiah 6:3 (NLT) — 3 They were calling out to each other, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven's Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!"

1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NLT) — 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

Hebrews 12:14 (NLT) — 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

Romans 12:1 (NLT) — 1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NLT) — 1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

Ephesians 4:24 (NLT) — 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Psalm 29:2 (NLT) — 2 Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Exodus 15:11 (NLT) — 11 "Who is like you among the gods, O Lord— glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the types of holiness in the Bible?

Holiness comes in different forms in the Bible, and each type significantly impacts our life in Christ.

Firstly, we have positional holiness, which means being set apart through Christ. Romans 5:1 tells us, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This kind of holiness happens when we accept Jesus as our Savior, creating a special bond that signifies our new identity.

Secondly, practical holiness shows how we live out our faith daily. As we see in 1 Peter 1:15-16, we are called to be holy in all our actions, reflecting God's character. This is about our choices, from kindness to patience, and even how we treat others! Engaging with our world while shining God's light makes a significant difference. It brings such joy when our actions mirror His love!

Finally, ultimate holiness is our glorious promise for our future with God. Revelation 21:27 assures us that nothing impure will enter heaven. Imagine the day we stand pure and complete before our Creator! The hope of final holiness anchors our souls, encouraging us to persevere amidst life's trials.

So let's strive for holiness together, standing firm in faith and uplifting one another along the way!

2. What examples of holiness are in the Bible?

Holiness is all around us in the Bible, shining brightly through figures like Moses, who encountered God in the burning bush (Exodus 3:5). Imagine the awe and humility he felt, stepping onto holy ground, realizing he was in the presence of something greater than himself. That moment reminds us that holiness isn't about perfection; it's about recognizing the divine in our lives and responding to it with reverence and wonder.

Next, look at Isaiah, who called out, "Woe is me! For I am undone!" (Isaiah 6:5). When he saw the Lord seated on the throne, the weight of God's purity left him speechless. This encounter can inspire us, encouraging a deep longing to seek holiness in our daily lives. We, too, can strive for that connection with God—acknowledging our flaws and asking for His grace to transform us from the inside out.

Finally, think about Jesus and how He modeled perfect holiness through love and service. The Bible says He was without sin. Remember how He washed the disciples' feet (John 13:5), showing us holiness can be found in humility and selfless acts. By embracing examples from Jesus' life here on earth, we can manifest holiness in our own lives.

Let's take a moment to reflect on these examples and ask how we can better embody holiness in our everyday actions!

3. What is the opposite of being holy?

Being unholy is often rooted in our everyday choices and actions that stray from God's teachings. Like a road leading away from a beautiful destination, our decisions can lead us into a life lacking spiritual direction. The Bible frequently calls us to be set apart, as seen in 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, for I am holy." Living outside of God's plan invites chaos and confusion into our lives, making us feel lost and distant from His grace.

Interestingly, the danger of unholiness can creep into the smallest corners of our lives. When we indulge in negativity, stray from love, or neglect kindness, we open the door to a lifestyle filled with bitterness and guilt. James 1:14 reminds us that temptation gives birth to sin, and sin, once it is full-grown, leads to death. This shows how one small choice can spiral into powerful consequences, affecting our relationship with God and others.

While the opposite of being holy feels heavy, there's hope! By inviting the Holy Spirit into our daily routines, we can experience transformation and renewal. When we seek the Spirit's guidance, we step back onto the path of holiness, where peace and joy flourish. Romans 12:2 encourages us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by renewing our minds. Let's commit to making choices that reflect our desire for holiness and a deeper connection with God!

Shawn Paul is an author who lives in Kentucky. He is passionate about living for Jesus Christ and inspiring others to do the same, which is the focus of his blog, where he shares Biblical topics to help your walk with the Lord.

Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife of 38 years. Bicycling is one of their favorite pastimes. They also have two daughters and 4 grandkids.

As a writer, Shawn's unique perspective and passion for his faith shine through in his work. It is his desire to impact people for the Gospel around the world in various ways.