The Value of VIRTUE
VIRTUE: Defined VIRTUE is Moral Excellence (Latin: virtus ; manliness, manhood, virility) A virtue is a trait or quality deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.
VIRTUE: a lesser view The excess of virtue is a vice. ~Greek Proverb It is hardly respectable to be good nowadays. ~Edith Sitwell Some folks wear their halos much too tight. ~Author Unknown What, after all, is a halo? It's only one more thing to keep clean. ~Christopher Fry What most persons consider as virtue, after the age of 40 is simply a loss of energy. ~Voltaire
VIRTUE: Do we think Holier than Thou Goody 2 Shoes Unrealistic Head in the clouds Abnormal Self Righteous
VIRTUE: or Wanna-be Stuffed Shirt Brown-noser Boy Scout Stuck up Snob High and Mighty Holy Roller
VIRTUE: Defined Virtue is a sure anchor. Unknown Virtue is a state of war, and to live in it we have always to combat with ourselves. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
VIRTUE: Defined Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it. David Star Jordan Sin is committable in thought, word or deed; so is virtue. Martin H. Fischer
VIRTUE: Why Teach It? Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
VIRTUE: Why Teach It? 2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4) by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5) But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, 2 Peter 1: 2-5
VIRTUE: Why Live It? (And add ) 6) and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7) and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8) For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9) But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1: 6-9
VIRTUE: Why Live It? Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. I Peter 2:12, 15
VIRTUE: Why Live It? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9
Some Virtues to Learn Some Virtues to Teach
Honesty & Integrity May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:21 He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out. Proverbs 10:9 But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Revelation 21:8
Justice For the righteous LORD loves justice. The virtuous will see his face. Psalm 11:7 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 All virtue is summed up in dealing justly. Aristotle
Self-Discipline (the instruction of Proverbs) for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair Proverbs 1:3 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 Self-discipline begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don't control what you think, you can't control what you do. Simply, self-discipline enables you to think first and act afterward. Napoleon Hill
Self-Control A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Proverbs 25:28 It (the gospel of Christ) teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live selfcontrolled, upright and godly lives in this present age, Titus 2:12 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 1 Corinthians 9:25
A Prayer For our children s virtues of Self-Discipline and Self-Control
Perseverance You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:36 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. Romans 2:7
Willingness to Work The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it Genesis 2:15 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men Colossians 3:23 He also who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys. Proverbs 18:9 Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you. Saint Augustine
Responsibility For each one will bear his own load. Galatians 6:5 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them, Romans 12:6-8
Purity Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
Godly Self-Esteem For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 Most people with low self-esteem have earned it George Carlin There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will be to treat others with respect, kindness, and generosity. Nathaniel Branden
Humility Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves... Philippians 2:3 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5
Respect Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:7
Mercy Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy James 3:17
Gratitude - Thankfulness And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues Marcus Tullius Cicero
Generosity A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 Command them (the rich) to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:18-19
Kindness & Compassion Therefore, as God s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop
Love And walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:2 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 It's not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts. Mother Teresa
A Prayer For our children s virtues of Kindness, Compassion, & Love
Others to consider Achievement Ambition Appreciation Character Charity Class And Grace Commitment Confidence Courage Courtesy Dedication Determination Devotion Drive Encouragement Excellence Foresight Forgiveness Friendship Giving Back Good Manners Hard Work Helping Others Hope Ingenuity Inspiration Laughter Leadership Learning Listening Loyalty Motivation Opportunity Optimism Overcoming Patience Peace Persistence Practice Preparation Purpose Reaching Out Respect Right Choices Rising Above Sacrifice Sharing Sportsmanship Stewardship Strength Team Work True Beauty Trust Unity Vision Values.com- The Foundation for a Better Life
How they interrelate Kindness Perseverance Self-Control Thankfulness Compassion Mercy Love Generosity Justice Respect Humility Work Self-Esteem Discipline Purity
Watch Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. Author Unknown
A Chink in your Armor? Chink : An narrow opening and vulnerable area in one's armor that the opponent will usually aim for. What is your soft spot? Where do you need to apply more Moral Excellence in your life?