Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
1 26 2024
What is Virtue and How Hard is it to Achieve?
Virtue is another way of saying “selflessness”. Anna Emdenborg said: “ Virtues are, taught/acquired/learned, moral characteristics of your character.
They are some things we learn – and do not come naturally to us humans. The Virtues have therefore both a personal and also social dimension. You become virtuous when you practice them and want to become a virtuous person”.
I received different answers each time I asked someone. What does virtue mean to you? The answers were all over the board but understanding them is so critical to growing in our
Faith and our relationship with Jesus.
People easily fall into cruise control, they get comfortable and float down the lazy river of their existence whenever they can. So have I. It’s hard not to want to stay there! Improving?
Let’s work on that at New Year’s for at least a week or two.
So how do we become Virtuous?
- Winston Churchill: “The only true perfection is always improving.”
- Own your mistakes. They can not, and should not, define you. But – they can become your motivation to be, and do, better next time.
- Jesus said the greatest commandments were to “love God with all your heart, all your strength, all your mind, and all your soul”. The second greatest commandment is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” He was saying Love is the greatest virtue.
Gal 5:22 says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
We grow in everything we do by repetition. I am going through Cardiac Rehab after having a heart attack in Sept. They say I need to rebuild my strength in every measurable area. They want me to press in… every day…to do more…to improve. and practice. It’s a long process and when I stop my progress stops. Just like striving to be virtuous.
The Question is; Are you Striving to be Virtuous or are you on autopilot in this area?
I dare to say that too many people are. It takes a lot of time and energy to become skilled and discerning at choosing what is right. Virtue? Can be taught to anyone who wants to learn. As a Christian growing in virtue means growing out of sin and the vices that we are all aware of.
I love what St. Gregory of Nyssa said, “The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God.” If we want to grow in holiness and turn away from sin in our lives, we have to grow in virtue and become like God.
It is said the hardest virtue is Discipline. But the highest virtue is Truth. But Jesus said the greatest virtue is love in 1 Cor 13. Not your spiritual gifts but the love that defines a true Christian.
It takes skill and discipline to grow in our virtuous walk with Christ. Every day should be an exercise in growing in God in some form. I have pulled a little research to help you decide what piece of your love you can share today.
19 Definitions Of Virtue
- Virtue = Patience + Gratitude
- Virtue = Grace + Mercy
- Virtue = Kindness + Goodness
- Virtue = Faith + Prayer
- Virtue = Courage + Integrity
- Virtue = Freedom + Innocence
- Virtue = Justice + Compassion
- Virtue = Prudence + Charity
- Virtue = Decency + Honor
- Virtue = Conscience + Humanity
- Virtue = Truth + Understanding
- Virtue = Tolerance + Equality
- Virtue = Religion + Spirituality
- Virtue = Empathy + Action
- Virtue = Silence + Speech
- Virtue = Might + Meekness
- Virtue = Confidence + Character
- Virtue = Friendship + Loyalty
- Virtue = Positivity + Generosity”
― Matshona Dhliwayo
It is said that: “Virtue is viewed as the habitual capacity of a person to respond freely and consciously to situations in a manner that reflects and intensifies his conformity to Jesus Christ”.
Meaning it will come after much effort, much discipline, and hard work.
I didn’t see Benevolence listed: “Benevolence means not being able to endure (seeing others suffer), loving others, and aiding all living things.” How are you growing to look more like Jesus today?
That would be a precise way to decide how our walk will look today.
