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7 Habits that will Strengthen Your Faith Every DayAre you familiar with the Christian magic word: Sincerity!
We all want a sincere faith that is deep, genuine, and not just words. We want sincerity both in our hearts and in our actions. But sometimes faith becomes a kind of habit and can feel superficial. Something like a list of dos and don’ts, a Sunday tradition, or just theory that doesn’t really touch our lives. Today, I want to share with you seven practical habits, rooted in theology, that can help you experience your faith in Jesus as your Lord much more sincerely. Seven things you can do yourself to make your faith a living, transforming force.
#1 — Prayer is a Conversation, not a Monologue
Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is our direct line to God the Father. Sincerity begins here, by not only talking, but also listening.
Practical: Set aside a fixed time, even if it’s only 5 minutes. Start with ‘Thank you’, ‘Sorry’, ‘Help’, and ‘Please‘. But also take moments of silence. Ask, ‘Lord, what do You want to say to me today?’ Perhaps write down what comes to mind.
Even if you have a busy life, you can build in moments like these. Driving to work? Turn off the radio! Surrounded by people all day at school or work? I bet they don’t follow you to the toilet. Yes, that sounds disrespectful, but if you wait until you find the perfect time and place that is also holy enough, you could be waiting a long time.
Theologically: The Bible encourages us to ‘pray continually’ (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Praying without stopping means that it is not tied to a place or time. Reading the Bible after a meal is really not the only time you can pray. Jesus himself often withdrew to pray. It is about recognising our relationship with, and dependence on God.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Why it leads to sincerity: By communicating consistently and honestly with the Lord God, you open your heart to Him. You get to know Him better. You can let your guard down, knowing that He knows and loves you, no matter what you say. This builds trust and intimacy, the foundation of sincere faith.
#2 — Bible study & Reflection: Food for the soul
You cannot truly know God if you do not read His Word. Skimming the surface is not enough; we must let it sink in.
Practical: Don’t just read the Bible, study it. Start with a Gospel (e.g. John). Read a small section and ask yourself questions: What does this say about God? What does it say about me? How can I apply this today? Meditate on – chew over – the words, as the Psalmist does in Psalm 1:2.
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Many of us read the Bible with the aim of getting the job done. But it is better to read a short passage and then ask yourself what it said. This can be done as a family, but also when you are alone. We read the Bible as a family after breakfast and dinner. I usually finish eating quicker, and then I pick up the Bible. I read a passage and then ask aloud if it reminds anyone of anything else. We are currently reading 1 Kings. In chapter 8, we read about the dedication of the temple. In verse 41, Solomon prays for the foreigners and asks the Lord to listen to their pleas. I stopped reading at that point because one of the children immediately pointed out that the Lord God also wants to be the God of foreigners; not only of the Jews, but also of us! It turned into a conversation in which we as a family got to know God even better.
Theologically: 2 Timothy 3:16 says that ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness‘. God’s Word is alive and powerful, a mirror, a guide.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Why it leads to sincerity: By allowing God’s Word to penetrate deeply, your faith is shaped by the truth of God, and not by opinions, feelings, false teachings, or what others think you should believe.
Ephesians 4:14
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
It nourishes your spirit, corrects your thinking, and leads you to a life more in line with God’s will, which is the essence of sincerity.
#3 — Active Participation in Christian Community
Faith is not meant to be lived in isolation. We are called to be part of God’s body, the church.
Practical: Don’t just go to church because that’s what you’re supposed to do! Actively seek contact. Join a small group, offer help, be vulnerable. Go to the pastor or minister and ask how you can help. Maybe it starts with washing dishes or setting up chairs. So what! Our congregation here on Madagascar has a relatively short service, but afterwards we drink coffee and tea together. That hour of chatting, eating biscuits and drinking coffee can be seen as an continuation of the church service. No one has ever been able to substantiate biblically that church life consists only of a sermon and singing a psalm. Community goes beyond Sunday morning. Share your struggles and victories with trusted brothers and sisters. Visit youth-clubs, Bible study evenings, conferences etc.
Theological: Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to look after one another and spur one another on to love and good deeds, and not to neglect our meetings. Romans 12:4-5 speaks of us as one body with many members, dependent on one another.
Why it leads to sincerity: In community, you are seen, loved, challenged, and held accountable. It helps you live out your faith, not just think about it. Others can show you your blind spots, encourage you when you stumble, and celebrate with you. This helps break through hypocrisy and promote authenticity.
#4 — Serving & sharing: Your faith in action
Sincere faith is never passive. It overflows into love for others, which is expressed in serving and giving.
Practical: Find a way to serve others, inside or outside the church. Cook a meal, help a friend move house, stand up for the vulnerable in society, donate financially to a reliable Christian organisation such as Live Action, a missionary, or a local evangelist. Start small, with what you have and where you are.
But you know what? Serving isn’t just about doing good things. You have so much to share. Why not try having a conversation about your Saviour? Sharing the Gospel isn’t just the job of the appointed pastor or evangelist. You may find it scary to tell someone else about Jesus. In that case, I recommend watching the video below.
Theological: Jesus himself did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). Matthew 25:35-40 teaches us that when we serve the least of our brothers and sisters, we serve Jesus himself. And 2 Corinthians 9:7 teaches us about the joy of giving with a glad heart.
Why it leads to sincerity: Serving and sharing shift the focus from yourself to others and to God. It shows that your faith is not just an idea, but a driving force that compels you to sacrifice and love. It proves that you believe in the dignity of every person and in God’s providence.
#5 — Self-reflection & Conversion: Honesty before God
Sincerity means being honest about your own shortcomings and sins, and actively turning away from them.
Practical: Take a moment each day to reflect on your doings. Where did you fail? Where did you sin, in thought, word or deed? Confess this to God. Ask for His forgiveness and strength to do things differently. Seek reconciliation with others where necessary.
But also be aware of your shortcomings in your dealings with others. Do you really always have to be right? Is it necessary to exalt yourself at the expense of others? Is it necessary to ridicule someone who brags a little? If you know who you are in Christ, you don’t need to do that, do you? We are simply different from others. Yes, even in church we are so different from eachother but yet, the Lord gave us to each other as brothers and sisters. To hear more about this, you can watch this video.
Theological: 1 John 1:9 says, ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.’ Psalm 139:23-24 calls us to ask God to search our hearts. Repentance is a lifelong process of turning away from sin and turning to God.
Why it leads to sincerity: This habit prevents us from living with a mask. It cultivates humility and a deep awareness of God’s grace. By being honest about our mistakes, we grow in dependence on God and allow Him to transform us, which is essential for sincere faith.
#6 — Cultivating Gratitude: A New Perspective on Life
A heart full of gratitude is a heart that sees God at work in all circumstances.
Practical: Write down 3-5 things you are grateful for every day, no matter how small. Thank God aloud in your prayers. Consciously look for the good things, even in difficult times.
What kind of good things? Well, you woke up again this morning, didn’t you? And what about the fact that you have the luxury of watching this video? You woke up too late for school or work and you were about to miss the train. But lucky you! The train was delayed… Not nice for the other people, but it worked out just fine for you!
Theologically: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, ‘give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to make our desires known to God with thanksgiving.
Gratitude acknowledges God’s sovereignty and goodness. What is sovereignty again? It means that God is almighty and dependent on no one. And in His sovereignty, He looks at us, and He looks at you too!
Matthew 10:30-31
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
And 1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
Why it leads to sincerity: Gratitude shifts your focus from complaining and shortages to God’s abundance and faithfulness. It helps you to see God’s hand in everything, deepening your faith and growing your trust in Him. A grateful heart is a heart that truly honours God, not just with words, but with deep conviction.
#7 — Living from God’s Grace: The Foundation of Everything
Many of us try to be good enough for God. True faith knows that we are never good enough, but that is God Himself who makes us gracious.
Practical: Remind yourself daily that you are saved by grace, not by works. You are loved and accepted by Christ’s sacrifice. This frees you from performance pressure. Extend this grace to others as well. Be gentle but honest with yourself and others when mistakes are made, knowing that blunders are part of growth.
But be careful! It is not the intention that we go through life as sourpusses who have nothing good to say about people. In some churches, there is a huge emphasis on human depravity. Of course, we know that the Bible teaches us that nothing good comes from human nature. BUT! How much more should we rejoice that the Lord has bought and paid us with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus! So, instead of walking around like a sour lemon all day, we can be cheerful and happy.
Jesus Himself has made His word known to us, and He says in
John 15:11
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
The first Christians were absolutely aware of the grace they had received, and no matter what happened, that their joy was by no means an afterthought.
Philippians 4:4-5
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Theological: Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states: ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.’
Romans 5:8 reminds us that ‘God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’
Why it leads to sincerity: When you live by grace, your faith is not driven by fear or the need to perform, but by a deep love and gratitude for what God has done for you. This frees you to be authentic, to acknowledge your struggles, and to grow in love and freedom. It is grace that enables us to persevere in the other practices, not out of compulsion, but out of love.
Finally, just this
So, there you have it: the seven habits that make your faith more sincere. These habits are not one-time actions, but lifelong disciplines. Be careful! These seven habits are not ‘checklists’ to earn grace. No, they are practical ideas for deepening your faith.
But, there is more! It is also important to realise that these seven points will never be achievable if you want to control them yourself. These points will only be successful if you are willing to take another very essential step in faith. You can click on the video below to find out more.
This list of seven is, of course, just the tip of the iceberg, and perhaps you can think of many more. I am very curious about your habits or ways of staying close to God. Please share them in the comments below.
