Standards Over Permission
The most impactful people - spiritually, emotionally, and practically - don’t live their lives asking:
“What am I allowed to do?”
They ask a far more powerful question:
“What standard am I willing to live up to?”
This shift changes everything.
Permission-focused living looks for the minimum requirement. Standard-based living aims for alignment with values, calling, and truth.
And when we look for the ultimate model of standard-based living, we don’t have to search far.
Jesus never asked what He could get away with. He lived fully submitted to who He was, who the Father is, and what love required. His life wasn’t reactive, it was intentional. Anchored. Purpose-driven.
If we desire to live well, lead well, and grow deeply, we must raise our standards - not out of striving, but out of identity.
Below are twelve standards to consider when you are thinking about upgrading your own Standards:
1. Take Full Responsibility
Highly effective people don’t outsource blame to circumstances, people, timing, or the past.
When something isn’t working, ask:
“What is mine to own here?”
Responsibility gives us power. Excuses give it away.
Jesus modeled this. He didn’t blame culture, opposition, or misunderstanding. Even in suffering - He chose obedience.
Ownership is not about shame, it’s about authority.
2. Live by Values, Not Moods
Behavior isn’t dictated by how you feel.
You keep promises when it’s inconvenient and obey conviction over comfort.
Discipline is simply values in action.
Jesus operated from mission. He prayed when weary. He served when misunderstood. He stayed faithful when it cost Him everything.
3. Keep Your Word (Especially to Yourself)
Treat promises to yourself as sacred.
Missed self-commitments erode self-trust. Kept commitments build quiet confidence and inner authority.
Jesus lived in alignment - His words and actions were never disconnected. Integrity was His nature.
4. Protect Their Inputs
What you consume mentally, spiritually, and emotionally is carefully curated.
Pay attention to:
The words you listen to
The people you allow influence from
The media you absorb
The thoughts you entertain
You understand this truth:
Inputs eventually become outputs.
Jesus withdrew often. He guarded solitude. He was intentional about where He placed His attention.
5. Embrace Discomfort as a Requirement
Don’t ask: “Is this hard?”
Ask: “Is this necessary?”
Growth, obedience, leadership, healing - none are comfortable.
Jesus never promised ease. He promised transformation. And He walked straight into discomfort when love required it.
6. Practice Consistency Over Intensity
Don’t chase motivation, build rhythms.
Small, faithful actions done repeatedly compound into extraordinary outcomes.
Jesus modeled consistency - daily prayer, continual teaching, steady obedience. Not flashy, but faithful.
7. Seek Truth Over Validation
Invite correction. Welcome feedback. Prefer growth over applause.
As ego shrinks, capacity expands.
Jesus never chased approval. He spoke truth - even when it cost Him followers.
8. Steward Time Ruthlessly
Treat time as a gift, not an entitlement.
Say no without guilt
Prioritize what aligns with your calling
Don’t confuse busy with effective
Jesus was never rushed, yet He fulfilled everything assigned to Him.
9. Guard Your Inner Life
Don’t ignore what’s happening beneath the surface.
Do the work of:
Renewing the mind daily
Examining motives
Aligning identity before performance
Because whatever leads internally will eventually leak outward.
Jesus addressed the heart first - always.
10. Live From Identity, Not for Approval
Your worth is settled. Your identity is anchored.
This allows you to:
Lead without fear
Serve without resentment
Be bold without arrogance
Stay humble without shrinking
Jesus lived fully secure in who He was - beloved Son and everything flowed from that truth.
11. Finish What You Start
Don’t chase new things to avoid finishing hard ones.
Completion builds credibility with others and with God.
Jesus’ final words reflected this standard perfectly: “It is finished.”
12. Measure Success Holistically
Success isn’t just outcomes.
Measure:
Obedience
Integrity
Fruit
Faithfulness
Ask:
Did I honor God?
Did I steward what I was given?
Did I grow?
Did I love well?
This is Kingdom success.
Living like Jesus doesn’t mean perfection - it means abiding.
It means choosing standards over permission. Identity over approval. Faithfulness over comfort.
The question isn’t what are you allowed to do?
The question is: What standard are you willing to live by?
Think about the life God is calling you into and what is required of you to get there, and then ask yourself: what is one Standard that will help me live the life I want to live?
Want accountability in walking this new Standard out - get in touch with me HERE and learn how I can help!
