Politeness is about how we communicate: face to face, in a text, or online. It is not political correctness, and it is not staying silent when something is wrong. It is choosing words that honor the Lord and strengthen the people who hear them.

• Listen more and speak less. Consider how the other person feels.
• No coarse language, shouting matches, or attacks on social media.
• Gentleness is strength under control, not weakness.
• Rudeness usually grows from pride and a lack of self-control.

Patience walks hand in hand with understanding, peacemaking, self-control, humility, and love. It stands against both a quick temper and pride, and it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in us.

• Slow to anger shows great understanding.
• Patience and self-control are fruits of the Spirit.
• Meditate on the verses below and pray for patience.
• Expect your patience to be tested, and soon.

Every martial artist knows what a lapse in attention costs: a hit you didn't see or an opening you missed. Scripture calls us to the same watchfulness in life, because our adversary is always looking for someone off guard.

• Stay sober-minded and aware of your surroundings.
• Watch and pray, because the flesh is weak.
• Train your focus the way you train your kicks.
• Alertness protects you and the people around you.

Bravery is not the absence of fear. It means pressing forward anyway. The opposite of bravery is surrender, which ends growth. True courage is grounded in truth and wisdom. It picks worthy battles and serves a purpose: glorifying God, blessing others, and becoming better.

• Insecurity is bravery's enemy. It makes us avoid the challenges that grow us.
• Courage comes from knowing your craft and knowing your Lord.
• Bravery is not recklessness, and it doesn't depend on the outcome.
• Think of David before Goliath, Jesus on the way to the cross, and Paul before the crowd.

Doing your best is more than trying harder. It means giving your full mind, body, and spirit to a worthy purpose. Effort aimed at the wrong goal only multiplies harm, so right motives and good instruction matter as much as hard work.

• Train smarter. Sometimes that means unlearning old habits.
• Choose the pursuits that most glorify God.
• Your best is never fixed: learn, practice, adapt, and excel, humbly.
• Bring a teachable spirit, a determined will, and a meaningful cause.

The sixth principle turns all the others both inward and outward. Scripture calls us to honor fellow believers with love, God with reverent obedience, and those in authority by honoring their position. It reaches into marriages, families, and churches too.

• Respect is commanded by God, not earned, so we give it even to people we disagree with.
• Refute ideas without attacking people. No name-calling or character attacks.
• Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• Respect for yourself and for others grow together.