Every Christian wants to be called a Christian, but only a few are willing to live like one.

The term “Christian” originally referred to disciples who were followers of Christ. These early believers lived in a way that reflected Christ’s teachings and actions.

Like Christ, they went about sharing the good news, healing the sick and delivering those under the oppression of the devil. 

Acts 2:44-47 describes how these believers lived together in unity, sharing everything in common and eating together with glad and sincere hearts.

The Holy Spirit enabled them to live harmoniously despite their individual differences.

Like the early believers, we also have unique behavioural patterns called our personality which encompasses our ways of thinking, feelings, and behaviours.

Our unique physical and psychological makeup causes us to think, feel, and react to situations differently.

For example, some people may seem outspoken, while others may seem shy and reserved.
Some people may appear approachable, while others may seem less so, though this doesn’t necessarily reflect how friendly they can be.

As believers who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and personal Savior, it’s important to ask ourselves, “Should my personality or temperament determine how I respond and react to things, or is there a different approach?”

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17


The transformation described in 2 Corinthians includes our personalities.

Given that our personality defines who we are and seems inseparable from us, how then does this work?

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, He sends us His Holy Spirit, who renews our minds and transform our lives.


“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2

This suggests that our personalities can be altered, especially when they’re not aligned with the fruits of the Spirit, to make us become more Christ-like.

Galatians 5:16-17; 22-23 provides insight into what a Christ-like personality looks like:

“[16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
 [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. […]
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
[23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:16-17; 22-23

To truly live like Christ is to live by the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit guides us constantly, influencing our thoughts and actions.

However, our hearts must be open to hearing and obeying Him for us to truly live like Christ.
So, the one who struggles to express love to others due to fear of rejection can learn to love by the help of the Holy Spirit.

The one battling social anxiety can receive peace and boldness, like the disciples in Acts 4:31.

The one with anger management issues can receive grace for self-control.

The key component in all these is yielding to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and allowing Him to refine our personalities for God’s glory.

It’s also important for us to note that there shouldn’t be a separation between our spiritual life and our personal life (including mundane activities).

Christ must be reflected in all we do—Career, academics, marital life, and relationships with others. Our Lord should be so evident in all aspects of our lives that He becomes our personality.

While our personalities make us unique individuals, as Christians, we are to allow the Holy Spirit transform us.

This doesn’t mean losing our individuality, but rather aligning our thoughts, feelings, and actions with Christ’s teachings.

By doing so, we can develop Christ-like personalities that reflect God’s love and character to the world around us.