You won’t find the phrase “core values” in Scripture, but Scripture certainly embodies the concept. When you define your core values they become an internal compass. They guide your decisions and actions, keeps you aligned with God’s will. They provide guidelines, ensuring purpose behind every interaction, decision, and step you take, fostering clarity, integrity, and effectiveness.
Why Are Core Values Important?
It’s important for each of you to establish your own core values to navigate life. Shared core values are also important. It fosters a culture within families and churches; shaping the way you live and interact in your communities.
How do you define your core values? Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s journey towards strong core values began with their commitment to using the Word of God. The Word is the standard—the ultimate authority—informing every decision necessary to fulfil the calling.
Our Core Values
The core values of KCM and EMIC are:
- We put the Word of God first place. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
- We live by faith. Galatians 3:11, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38 and Habakkuk 2:4 all tell us that, “the just shall live by faith” (NKJV).
- We walk in love. Matthew 22:37-39 says, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”
- We are led by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (AMPC).
- We pray about everything. James 5:16 says, “Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]” (AMPC).
- We protect the anointing. Luke 4:18-19 says, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD” (NKJV).
- We honour God. Revelation 4:11 says, “‘You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created’” (NKJV).
What Is Your Foundation?
The core of anything is its central part. Seeds for reproduction sprout right there. Picture an apple; its core? Bursting with seeds Our physical bodies have a core; it includes the pelvis, lower back, hips and stomach. It includes the muscles that surround the spine. Core exercises train the muscles in our core so we are steady and upright, and have proper balance.
When it comes to our values, core refers to our principles or standards of behaviour. Core refers to our judgment of what’s important. Therefore, our core values are what we hold most dear; they are central to how we conduct our lives, guiding our thoughts, motives and actions. We could call them core beliefs. Believing comes out of the heart – or the spirit of a man. That’s where the power is that directs our lives. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10, NKJV).
Define Your Core Values
- Start with the Word, because God upholds all things by the power of His Word (Hebrews 1:3). The preeminent question in the life of every believer is, “What does the Word say?” The Word is to be final authority in our lives, and for it to be final authority we must change our lives to line up with the Word of God—and not try to make the Bible fit our lifestyle.
- Pray because prayer is the way we communicate with God and therefore prayer is the key to success in all that we do. James 4:2-3 says, “You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” Be sure to ask God to help you define your core values.
- Write your core values. Habakkuk 2:2-3 says, “Then the LORD answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry’” (NKJV).
- Subject your core values to the Holy Spirit for His guidance and truth. John 16:13-14 says, “But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you” (AMPC).
- Begin filtering everything through your newly defined core values. Store them in your heart. As you do, watch how heaven will be produced in your life. Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say, flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45).
Firm Foundation
As you implement these 5 Strategies for Defining Your Own Core Values, adjust your list and add to it as the Holy Spirit illuminates further scriptures and biblical principles. Walk into your future knowing that as you remain grounded in your core values, it is possible to influence society and be relevant, yet unswayed by the pressures of the world. Outside elements will not be able to move you and you will successfully walk with Him!
