10 Holy Habits to Cultivate

As believers, we are called to develop habits and rhythms that cultivate holiness. These practices must find their source in God, be sustained in us through His Spirit, grow us in godly character, and be useful to others.

These ten habits below have developed holiness in Christians throughout church history.

1. Bible engagement: Reading and engaging with our Bibles is a non-negotiable for developing a holy heart and a holy lifestyle. Remember: Only the Bible has the power to read us as we’re reading it! I say often to the women at my church, “The more competent we are in Scripture, the more confident we are in our faith.”

2. Fellowship/Church Membership: The New Testament often refers to the church as the body of Christ, which serves as the primary way in which God accomplishes His plans for mankind in the world and the primary environment for each of us to use our spiritual gifts for the betterment of others (1 Cor. 12:7). And though the global church stretches itself across the whole world, local churches are often our most natural on-ramps into the fellowship, service, and instruction we need in our weekly lives.

3. Prayer: This practice is a foundational building block for a holy lifestyle. Without prayer as our expression of dependence on God, we can’t grow in holiness. Prayer is how we commune with God personally, raising our hearts and concerns to Him, and receiving peace in return.

4. Sabbath/Rest: Although we are no longer under the yoke of the law, the principle of Sabbath and rest remains. We are created with physical capacity, designed to create in us a dependence on God. Mark 2:27-28 gives us insight to understand that Sabbath was made “for man,” which can be better understood to mean “because of man.” Holiness will grow in us when we find rest in God.

5. Evangelism: Matthew 28:18-20 is the biblical mandate known as the Great Commission, which instructs all believers to go and make disciples. Put simply, we make disciples by sharing the good news of the gospel with people who are just like we once were—separated from God, driven by their earthly nature, unable to atone for their sin. We’re told specifically in 2 Peter 3:9, and conceptually throughout all the Bible, that God desires that none should perish. When we share the gospel, we participate with a Holy God in the holy work of seeking and saving mankind. To be clear, we do not have the power to save anyone on our own, but we introduce them to the One who can, and we will grow in holiness as we do.

6. Fasting: Temporarily abstaining from food or other comforts or distractions to focus on spiritual growth creates a dependence on God. Seasons of fasting in Scripture serve a variety of purposes: expressing repentance, seeking guidance, showing devotion to the Lord, consecrating ourselves for a particular task or season God has called us to, and others. Jesus modeled fasting for us, and the entire practice is rooted in holiness.

7. Silence and Solitude: Jesus often sought solitude as opportunities for prayer and increased connection with God the Father. We, too, should be comfortable in the presence of God—quietly reflective of His goodness, listening for His words, and basking in His glory. When we spend time in the presence of God, we walk away reflecting the holiness of which we have just observed.

8. Service: Though our service to one another cannot earn us better standing with God, Scripture does make it clear that serving others helps us become more like Jesus rather than the world. He makes it clear that while ungodly people lord their power and position over others, “It should not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:26-28 WEB). When we serve others instead of demanding them to serve us, Scripture tells us we stand apart as different from this world and we look increasingly more like Jesus—the greatest servant of all. 

9. Worship: The question isn’t: “Will we worship?” The question is: “What will we worship?” Sadly, many of us are marked by the hollow and undeserving things we worship—money, comfort, popularity, beauty, and so on. We will never exhaust the adoration and worshjp due the Lord, but the more we try, the holier we become. Worship aligns our sight, our words, our hearts, and our actions toward the sacred otherness of our eternally Holy God.

10. Generosity: Similar to service, generosity is a practical manifestation of holiness, and it’s a habit Christians have practiced for thousands of years. Believers, set apart in Christ, should live with an abundance mentality—knowing that God is our Provider and Sustainer. Generosity is not reckless stewardship; it’s confidence in the One who owns the “cattle on a thousand hills” (Ps. 50:10); a holy partnership with Him in the area of the resource He has entrusted to us.

Tasha Calvert is the women’s minister at Prestonwood Church in Dallas, Texas. Adapted from Set Apart for More by Tasha Calvert. Copyright © 2026 by Tasha Calvert. Used by permission of B&H Publishing Group. Listen to Tasha’s recent interview on LIFE TODAY.