You don’t have to be religious to find value in the teachings of Jesus, especially when it comes to kindness, relationships, forgiveness, and how we treat others.
Treating others
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31
This lesson could not be simpler, and yet it’s one of the hardest concepts to live by. We all want people to treat us with respect, honesty, and kindness, but we don’t always treat others that way.
Next time you want to complain about someone, you can simply ask yourself how you would want others to treat you if you were in that situation. Same goes for relationships, work, and even strangers we chat with on the train.
Avoiding judging
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” – Matthew 7:1
Judging others becomes easy when we only see a small fraction of their lives. Someone comes across as rude, lazy, or unfriendly, and we know nothing about what’s going on in their life. Jesus told us not to judge others when our own lives are stained by sin.
We notice the small speck in someone else’s eye, but can’t see the large plank in our own. This doesn’t mean we should ignore harmful behavior, but we should always remember that we may be wrong about people and we shouldn’t criticize others harshly.
Practicing forgiveness
“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
When we let bitterness linger, we keep replaying a bad situation long past its end. Jesus spoke often about forgiveness, even when it was hard to do. In everyday terms, this teaching can be seen as a refusal to let another person’s actions control how we feel for years afterward.
Forgiveness is not forgetting what happened, allowing abusive behavior to continue or enabling someone to hurt us again. It’s entirely possible to forgive someone without giving up your boundaries. Often the best thing about forgiving is the ability to move forward without replaying that old fight or disappointment.
Helping people without expectations
“When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” – Matthew 6:3
Jesus cautioned us against doing righteous acts simply to get applause from others. This is especially relevant in modern society where people randomly help someone and film it. Helping someone should not require recognition, gratitude, or likes or comments on social media.
Whether it’s helping your neighbor who is struggling, checking up on your aging grandmother, or doing a favor to your coworker, the action of helping itself is enough. Posting your good deeds can encourage others to follow your lead, but would you still help if you knew nobody would ever know?
Worrying less
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” – Matthew 6:34
Have you ever noticed how much time we spend worrying about what might go wrong in the future? We find it so difficult to relax and enjoy today because we’re so busy imagining tomorrow’s disasters. Jesus taught his followers not to let their lives be dominated by anxiety about the future.
Of course, that doesn’t mean being irresponsible, refusing to set money aside or ignoring troubles until they become problems. But it is a reminder that there is a big difference between worrying and planning. We can prepare responsibly for what tomorrow may bring without picturing the worst imaginable scenario.
Money isn’t everything
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
It’s not sinful to make money or desire financial security. But Jesus cautioned us about letting our things and wealth take control of our lives. It’s easy to spend years fixated on a bigger house, a newer car, or a higher salary, all while failing to invest in relationships and our own joy.
Jesus asks us what we truly value. If we spend our time, energy, and focus on gaining things, we will likely realize we ignored the things that were far more valuable.
Loving your enemies
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
It’s easy to be nice to people who are nice to us. It’s really hard to stay quiet and show compassion to a person you know doesn’t like you. However, Jesus asked his followers to rise above this pattern of revenge.
Rather than answering bad intentions with more anger, we should do the unexpected. In everyday situations, this might mean resisting the urge to gossip about someone who spoke ill of us. Or not saying something cruel back when someone else insults us. It doesn’t mean you have to remain friends with someone who is toxic to your life. All it means is that someone else’s toxicity shouldn’t dictate your behavior.
Staying humble
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled.” – Luke 14:11
When we do well in life, it’s easy to lose sight of all the people who helped us along the way. Jesus often warned about pride and the urge to look more important than everyone else many times. He encouraged humility over competitiveness and pride.
Being humble isn’t denying your skills or acting like your accomplishments don’t matter. Humility means knowing that no matter how successful you become, you still have more to learn.
Actions speak louder
“By their fruit you will recognize them.” – Matthew 7:16
Everyone can claim to be nice, honest or loyal, but words mean nothing if our actions don’t match. Jesus used the image of trees to show that we can tell what people are really like by the fruit they produce.
In life, this means we should look at what people do day in and day out instead of being impressed with eloquent speeches or titles. If a person shows time and time again that they are there for you, they are more likely genuine than someone who constantly talks about being a good friend.
Rejecting revenge
“If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” – Matthew 5:39
When someone insults us or tries to wrong us, our instinct is often to hit back. Instead of endorsing that impulse, Jesus directed his followers to refrain from retaliating against every insult. Refusing to trade insults or simply leaving a fight behind is nothing to feel ashamed about. In fact, it can take a lot of self-control to do that sometimes.
However, this verse is not meant to allow others to pick on you or make you allow someone to abuse you physically. We can refuse to seek revenge against others while still defending ourselves, setting healthy boundaries, and pursuing justice.
Helping those in need
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Mark 12:31
Jesus showed what it means to be a good neighbor in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story, a man stopped to aid an injured stranger though their communities were divided by prejudice. His lesson was deeper than lending a hand to family, friends, and those we like. First, we should see another’s suffering. Put aside judgments on whether they deserve our kindness.
In modern times, that could look like lending a hand to someone of another race. Or it could simply mean giving a stranger the benefit of the doubt.
Not following the crowds
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” – Matthew 7:13–14
Following the crowd is a natural instinct, particularly if the alternative is being mocked or ostracised. Jesus talked about the narrow gate and the hard road because he knew very well that the easiest route isn’t always the correct path. Aside from spiritual applications, this is a principle that challenges us to be independent thinkers and to live by our own standards rather than those pushed upon us by society.
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